71.   In a superficial sense, the complex American supply chain is almost back to normal.

72.   In September, Bradlees asked its banker to explore whether larger chains might be interested in buying the Braintree, Mass. company.

73.   Increasingly, too, experts say, European hotel chains are following the American practice of moving into related fields, from family resorts to gambling halls.

74.   In the hotel industry, for example, there are luxury chains at one end of the spectrum and discount motels at the other.

75.   Indeed, while parts of the Northeast have been hostile to Wal-Mart, in Texas the chain is part of the cultural landscape.

76.   It seems like there was a chain of responsibility.

77.   It is difficult to assess the sales performance of the new store, because the Arkansas-based chain is notoriously secretive.

78.   Its other U.S. supermarket chains are Foodtown and BI-LO.

79.   Large chains are in an excellent position to become retailers, Eyster said.

80.   Longo said a combined Builders Square and Homebase chain would be a good fit since the two companies did not overlap much geographically.