Sister website of Europa Star, www.nationaljeweler.com,; announces major news on the US retail market:
* Fortunoff to sell majority stake to investors
* Kmart, Sears to merge in $11 billion deal
* Third-quarter sales up at Wal-Mart.


NJ - NOVEMBER 17, 2004 — Fine jewellery and furniture retailer Fortunoff has announced that it has agreed to sell a majority stake of the company to private investors. In a surprise deal that will create the nation's third largest retail company, Kmart and Sears, Roebuck and Co. have announced plans to merge, forming the new Sears Holding Corp. Sales at Wal-Mart, the country's largest jewellery retailer, increased nearly 10 per cent in the third quarter ending October 31, compared with the same period in 2003.

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