Pent-up demand from the previous month's hurricanes Katrina and Rita, as well as a push in footwear sales helped sales in October. Last month's Hurricane Wilma hurt the apparel market in Florida, but the storm drove sales as discount stores and wholesale clubs in the area.

Wholesale clubs were again the strongest-performing sector in the industry, jumping 8.2%. Costco had the best results, climbing 10%, while Wal-Mart's Sam's Clubs turned in a 6.7% increase.

Apparel chains would have reported a 5.6% hike, but Gap Inc.'s stores held back the sector, falling by 3%. Limited Brands also suffered, dropping 3%. Leading gainers in apparel were Abercrombie & Fitch, up 31%; Chico's FAS, rising 17.9%; and American Eagle Outfitters, which shot up 17.3%.