<div id="subtitle">How chains in 4 key retail sectors fared in January compared with a year earlier</div><div><p>Here is a summary of how sales at stores open at least a year changed in January for selected major chains in four key retail sectors: department stores and discount, drug and clothing chains.</p><p>Next to each chain's name is its percentage increase or decrease over the same month last year. This comparison is considered a key indicator of a retailer's health because it excludes sales at stores that open or close during the year.</p><p>___</p><p>_ Department stores</p><p>Bon-Ton Stores Inc. 5.3 pct</p><p>Dillard's Inc. -5 pct</p><p>Fred's Inc. -2 pct</p><p>J.C. Penney Co. -4.6 pct</p><p>Kohl's Corp. 6.5 pct</p><p>Neiman Marcus Group Inc. 6.8 pct</p><p>Nordstrom Inc. 14 pct</p><p>Macy's Inc. 3.4 pct</p><p>Saks Inc. 7 pct</p><p>Stage Stores Inc. -11.3 pct</p><p>___</p><p>_ Discount chains</p><p>BJ's Wholesale Club Inc. 8.4 pct</p><p>Costco Wholesale Corp. 8 pct</p><p>Target Corp. 0.5 pct</p><p>___</p><p>_ Drug stores</p><p>Rite Aid Corp. -2.1 pct</p><p>Walgreen Co. -1.1 pct</p><p>___</p><p>_ Clothing chains</p><p>Abercrombie & Fitch Co. 8 pct</p><p>Aeropostale Inc. 6 pct</p><p>American Eagle Outfitters Inc. 10 pct</p><p>The Buckle Inc. -1.2 pct</p><p>Cato Corp. -4 pct</p><p>The Children's Place Retail Stores Inc. 12 pct</p><p>Destination Maternity Corp. -8.1 pct</p><p>Gap Inc. 5 pct</p><p>Hot Topic Inc. -13 pct</p><p>Limited Brands Inc. 6 pct</p><p>Ross Stores Inc. 8 pct</p><p>Stein Mart Inc. -2.5 pct</p><p>TJX Cos. 12 pct</p><p>Urban Outfitters Inc. 4 pct</p><p>Wet Seal Inc. -3.7 pct</p><p>Zumiez Inc. -1.8 pct</p><img src="http://admatch-syndication.mochila.com/images/ad.gif?aid=68453246&bid=informcom" /></div><div id="copyright"><div>

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