Setting a blistering pace for the retail industry were Bombay Co. and the Sharper Image, who again graced our list of Top 10 Retail Performers. ... A group of apparel companies who met their customer's style preferences also joined the list with Pacific Sunwear and Chico's assuaging the teen market while Gap and Ann Taylor delivered more traditional clothing choices. ... Claire's continues to be the accessory playground for women. ... The men's market has rebounded to an extent with the Men's Wearhouse and S&K Famous Brands meeting the value preferences in business and causal wear. ... Walgreen, the giant of the drug retail industry, sustained its positive momentum, stretching its lead against its peers.

With most of the Rising Stars again owing their positions to dismal results last year, a few retailers, such as Sharper Image and Pacific Sunwear followed through on last year's positive growth. ... Factory 2-U's turnaround was solidified by its solid May performance with discount ultra-value apparel while at the opposite end of the pricing scale Neiman Marcus' merchandising is more effectively pleasing its posher patrons. ... The additions of pharmacies at Pamida, part of Shopko, enabled positive traffic flows that translated into modest comp growth. ... "Be"tter merchandise flow brought "Be"tter results at BeBe.

The fickle teen market again sparked a substantial drop off in Wet Seal's all wet performance. ... One-Price continues to struggle for the right price and the right merchandise for customers. ... Starr Jones lacked sufficient star power to wedge Payless' shoe sales to a higher platform. ... Both the crew at the Crew and the action at Abercrombie failed to fetch consumer dollars despite the latter's racy catalog although Crew's direct sales rose. ... Dillard's private brands and Cato's markdowns were "United" in that none of the three retailers were able to drive positive comps. ... Only time will tell if Odd Jobs' "odd" performance will be "amazing" when and if the purchase by Amazing Savings closes. ... Stage Stores boasted good performance in specialty departments from cosmetics to swimwear but failed to stage a comeback to positive numbers akin to last year.

Continuing to free-fall from the heights of last year's performance were Wet Seal, Aeropostale and Deb Shops each of which saw substantial drop offs in traffic from their fashion conscious demographic base. ... As the plus size market becomes more crowded, United Retail appears to be dieting. ... Despite offering extended credit terms and a promotional sales environment, Haverty could not register positive results. Its shipmate, Pier 1 failed to berth enough customer traffic to offload home decor items across their checkout counters. ... Christopher & Banks is the only member of the Falling Stars group whose results were positive after a very strong 2002. ... Intertan's hot product private label and branded sales softened with uncertain consumer confidence. ... Sales were unleavened at Panera Bread.

Head to toe merchandise is still pulling the sector average down as these markets fish for fashion focus to increase traffic in the Department Store, Apparel and Footwear industries. ... The "must have" drug retailers continue to have the right prescription for healthy comps. ... Closer to home, consumer electronics hot product offerings have kept the home furnishing fires burning as consumers created a "homey" environment to watch their digital offerings. ... Spring has yet to blossom for the outdoor sporting goods enthusiasts. ... Value shoppers trod the aisles of mass merchandisers finding bargains from excess or closeout inventories.