1.   Sears Roebuck bucked the largely bleak holiday sales trend, reporting significant increases in apparel sales.

2.   Also, a greater percentage of apparel sales, which have high return rates, takes place off-line and through catalogues.

3.   Among the big discounters, it relies the least on apparel sales.

4.   Analysts attributed gains at big chains like May Department Stores, Dillard Department Stores and Federated Department Stores in large part to a rise in apparel sales.

5.   And the revitalization in apparel sales may continue.

6.   And the revival in apparel sales may continue.

7.   Apparel sales have begun to pick up slightly after a sluggish June and July.

8.   Apparel sales recovered earlier this month.

9.   Apparel sales were particularly strong as retailers stocked a better mix of classic items that put consumers in the mood to shop for slacks and skirts.

10.   Apparel sales were the hardest hit in Los Angeles as unseasonably warm weather kept sweaters and coats on the shelves.