Very strong textile and apparel retail sales have been noted in several key European markets. In Italy, one of the weakest retail markets in Old Europe, apparel retail sales increased 1.9 percent in June from the previous year, while monthly apparel sales have expanded in five of the past six months. Retail sales of textiles, furniture and household furnishings, however, remained weak, with sales dropping .2 percent in June, marking the third consecutive monthly decline -- sales fell .1 percent in May and .4 percent in April.

In Portugal, retail sales of textiles, apparel, shoes and leather have soared in June and July. June sales posted 8 percent year-on-year growth and were followed by 6.3 percent growth in July, which marked a reversal of the weakness experienced during January through May time period. In Greece, June retail sales of apparel and footwear expanded 8.5 percent from a year ago, which followed 7.4 percent growth in May.

One of the "hottest" retail markets in June occurred in Norway, where textile and apparel retail sales soared. June retail sales of textiles posted 11.4 percent year-on-year growth, while apparel sales increased 16.1 percent from a year ago -- both products have enjoyed six consecutive months of growth.