But the retailing executive was not sure how Mattel accounted for the discount.

"Nobody likes to try on sweaters when its 95 degrees," one retailing executive said.

Some retailing executives say these new decisions put Saks's reputation for being on the cutting edge of fashion on the line.

Many retailing executives and Wall Street analysts said they were puzzled by the slow pace of sales.

Edward H. Selonick, a former retailing executive, died of cancer Tuesday in Cincinnati, where he lived.

A former retailing executive is writing about following the Taoist suggestion that when you "practice 'not-doing' everything will fall into place."

One retailing executive insisted that the downturn was not because of the economy.

Some retailing executives say now that Macy should have simply told suppliers that payments would be late, without setting a date.

Patrice Harrington, a retailing executive with no children, volunteers to work with a new girls softball division.

Leonard Silver, a longtime retailing executive, is retiring.