The growth in inventories by our nation's department stores (excluding leased departments) from Aug. 31 to Nov. 30, 2008. Thanks to the holiday crowds, inventories plummeted by 25 percent in December.

Source: Service Sector Statistics

Note: Leased departments are separately owned businesses operated as departments or concessions of other service establishments or of retail businesses, such as a separately owned shoeshine parlor in a barber shop, or a beauty shop in a department store. Also, retail sales estimates have not been adjusted to account for seasonal or pricing variations.

$24 billion

Value of retail sales by electronic shopping and mail-order houses in December 2008 -- the highest total for any month last year.

Source: Service Sector Statistics

16,670