The last time the index of general retailers dropped was in 1986.

The company, the largest general retailer on the Internet, lost $43.3 million, or 11 cents a share.

On Thursday, the nation's largest general retailers reported lackluster sales for the month.

The nation's largest general retailers reported yesterday that March sales were mixed.

Early in the year, returns were up about 10 percent at general retailers as well.

The nation's biggest general retailers generally reported yesterday that they had strong April sales.

September sales figures indicated some improvement, an increase up to 10 percent for general retailers.

Sales remained sluggish at the largest general retailers in November.

But even among general retailers, next year is expected to be more difficult.

The nation's largest general retailers reported yesterday that January sales were lackluster.