Even now, while many other merchants have put large quantities of holiday merchandise on sale, J. Crew has only scattered markdowns, customers report.

During the 2002 holiday season, her Santa's Pens personalized holiday merchandise was sold from carts at 152 malls.

October is a big month for importing holiday merchandise, and the figures pertaining to individual countries are not adjusted for seasonal variation.

Target is marketing holiday merchandise well before Thanksgiving this year as well, with e-mail messages offering 10 percent discounts and free shipping.

It is usually donated, along with the rest of the unsold holiday merchandise, to a community organization after Easter.

Particular attention is being paid to Dec. 10, when checks are due to go out to suppliers of holiday merchandise.

Gap got rid of the holiday merchandise and, she reported, will now bring in the new spring merchandise with alacrity.

Now we're selling holiday merchandise!

Merchants offered big discounts on holiday merchandise and lured shoppers with expanded hours.

Harris said the holiday merchandise signals a return to "the fresh casual American style" and "bright optimistic colors Gap is famous for."