1.  Barry Bryant, a retailing analyst at Ladenburg, Thalmann, questioned why Kmart would hire so many outsiders to senior positions if it intended to replace Antonini.

2.  Besides, if one prestigious retailing analyst is right, high-tech trucks may not be high on your shopping list this year.

3.  Michael Exstein, a retailing analyst at Credit Suisse First Boston, talked last week about retailing, e-tailing and the holidays.

4.  Sally Wallick, a retailing analyst with Legg Mason Wood Walker in Baltimore, said consumers have gotten better at sizing up merchandise.

5.  None of the retailers will discuss the economics, but Black, the retailing analyst, offered an estimate.