The shift hurt department stores, which fell 7% as a group, the hardest. Kohl's plunged 11.4%, Macy's Inc. dipped 7.9% and J. C. Penney dropped 7.5%. Even Nordstrom, which had a monthly average increase of 5.2% in 2007, fell 4%.

Apparel was also negatively impacted, with those chains falling 4.4% as a group. Chico's FAS had a 13.7% skid, Ann Taylor slipped 9.4% and Cato Corp. and Limited Brands each dropped 8%. Ross Stores was the bright spot in the sector, rising 3%.

Discounters actually fared better, with a 2.2% gain, than they had since August. The jump was bolstered by Wal-Mart's 2.6% rise, and TJX Cos. posted a 3% gain. Target crept up 0.6%, while Family Dollar fell 0.7%.<p.Wholesale clubs had the best month, rising 5.3%. Costco had the biggest gain, soaring up 7%, followed by a 3.4% push at Wal-Mart's Sam's Clubs.