Department stores, up 8.4%, posted their best results as a group since January 1997. The group was led by Kohl's 16.3% leap and a 13.4% rise at Nordstrom. Dillard's, which had reported sales declines over the past three months, had flat sales in September.

Wholesale clubs inched up 2.5%, compared to their year-to-date average monthly gain of 5.3%. BJ's Wholesale had a drop of 0.9%, while Costco was the head performer in the category with a 4% gain.

Specialty-apparel chains had a strong showing, rising 4.6%. Without a 3%-slide by Gap Inc.'s brands, the category's gain would have been 8.9%. Double-digit gainers were American Eagle Outfitters, at 19%; Limited Brands, up 12%; and Abercrombie & Fitch, which jumped 10%.