11.   Clothing-oriented specialty chains also reported gains in May, including Limited Inc., Intimate Brands Inc. and Charming Shoppes Inc.

12.   Clothing-oriented specialty chains also reported gains in May, including Gap Inc., Limited Inc., Intimate Brands Inc. and Charming Shoppes Inc.

13.   Clothing-oriented specialty chains also reported gains in May, including Gap Inc., Limited Inc., TJX Cos. and Intimate Brands Inc.

14.   Clothing-oriented specialty chains also reported gains in May, including Gap Inc., Limited Inc. and Intimate Brands Inc.

15.   Compare this with specialty apparel chains, which by and large got clobbered last October and last holiday season.

16.   Clothing specialty chains also reported gains --including Gap Inc., Limited Inc., TJX Cos. and Intimate Brands Inc.

17.   Consumers bought clothes last month, but they did not do their shopping at specialty apparel chains.

18.   It also plans to expand its credit-card operations, services businesses and specialty chains such as auto centers, HomeLife furniture stores and hardware shops.

19.   Neiman Marcus, another specialty store chain, began testing the market last spring through its mail-order division and may also be considering opening a store there.

20.   One company, Basic Fun, has a full line of specialty key chains for kids, all officially licensed.