While retail sales have remained a source of concern for most apparel retailers in 2011, e-commerce has been a major growth driver for the apparel sector.

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Teen apparel retailer Aeropostale is looking to revamp its m-commerce (e-commerce through mobile) channel to strengthen its direct-to-consumer business.

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In the current environment, the e-commerce channel is driving Urban Outfitters and the overall apparel industry including holiday sales.

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This more recent data--courtesy of Spending Pulse, the economic research arm of MasterCard (nyse: MA - news - people ) WorldWide--divides U.S. consumer discretionary spending into eight buckets: air travel, e-commerce, electronics, furniture, lodging (as in hotels, not primary residences), apparel, luxury (excluding jewelry) and restaurants.

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