But shoppers loyal to Chaus were offended by the higher prices, and shoppers loyal to Claiborne remained loyal to that label.

IT is an intriguing mix of Jewish tradition and American trends, of comfort food and ethnic gourmet, of loyal local shoppers and determined out-of-towners.

If Wal-Mart and H & M are setting the shopping culture," pondered Ms. Corlett, herself a loyal shopper, "is there still a place for Lord & Taylor?

Throw in a long and bitter recession, major repairs on the East River bridges, persistent parking problems, drug selling and other crime, and an exodus of many loyal shoppers to the suburbs.

For the most part, he said, New York has relatively loyal shoppers.

The Bonus Card program is one of these promotions which is supposed to reward loyal shoppers with redeemable points.

And some loyal shoppers have complained that Brooks Brothers' stores are often out of stock, industry experts said.

"They need loyal shoppers who will return, again and again, through higher prices and low, to keep the registers ringing."

Three-quarters of all grocery stores and supermarkets in the nation offered stamps to attract loyal shoppers, and 10 major stamp companies competed for the business.

Although members of the Fortunoff family were on hand, executives decided that loyal shoppers should take the first whacks at knocking down the old Ohrbach's department store, on the site of the new center.