A western apparel store may choose to play country music.

Women's apparel stores had their worst Christmas in nearly a decade last year.

"You could have rolled a bowling ball through the apparel stores."

There are now 51 American Apparel stores in the world.

The Limited, the chain of women's apparel stores, closed down 1 point, to 22 3/4.

Apparel stores were also affected by continuing warm weather in some parts of the country.

But general merchandisers and apparel stores cut employment by 400 jobs each.

There are few signs that other major women's apparel stores are ready to make similar changes.

That lack of sales hit every retailing sector, but especially apparel stores.

In lower Manhattan, several apparel stores were also open for business on Thursday.