1.   Sales improved after an unpromising start.

2.   Sales had improved by midyear.

3.   Chemists, grocers, clothing, footwear and leather shops say that sales improved significantly compared with a year ago.

4.   Analysts expect sales to improve in May and June, though, which should bode well for fiscal second-quarter results.

5.   And sales are improving even as interest rate are beginning to inch up.

6.   Astra sales have improved every month this year, compared to last year.

7.   Because of the lag, sales will improve in the second half of the year, the company said.

8.   Bills ticket sales are improving.

9.   Burrows said sales of Budweiser improved this year, after two lackluster years.