21.   Department store chains reported strong gains in March, paced by the earlier Easter and clothing sales.

22.   In what may be a bitter harbinger for retail stocks, some large retail chains reported disappointing sales Thursday for the end of last year.

23.   It is expected to be profitable, although Romm said the chains may report a lower profit than in the year-ago quarter.

24.   Most department store chains reported small sales increases, though some had declines.

25.   Not all chains reported such heavy use.

26.   Not all department store chains reported results as disappointing as Sears, Roebuck and Co. and J.C. Penney Co.

27.   Other big retail chains report June sales.

28.   Other chains reported declines.

29.   Other chains are reporting lower-than-expected sales, including Dayton Hudson Corp. and CompUSA Inc. today.

30.   Retail chains report December sales.