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RETAILING

From Times Staff and Wire Reports

July Retail Sales Disappointing: The retail business stumbled through July, with many store owners reporting disappointing sales and others relying on deep discounts just to post moderate increases. Some retailers reported sizable gains in monthly sales, including Wal-Mart Stores Inc., the nation’s largest retailer. But others, including J.C. Penney Co., Dayton Hudson Corp., and Carter Hawley Hale Stores Inc. saw business stagnate or decline.

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