Meanwhile, plant breeders and retail buyers are having a ball.

Perhaps retail buyers should leave their fashion environments and spend a day in corporate settings.

"In more than 30 years, I have never seen such complete enthusiasm and excitement from retail buyers."

Moreover, reports of large numbers of retail buyers were not universal.

A big retail buyer can't buy six of something.

"The problem with the market is that the gold rally has hit the market hard, and retail buyers are scared."

The apparently lower price in the Salomon contract is because retail buyers are paying cash now, but will not get the oil for five years.

There was no sign that retail buyers of diamonds would be affected by the deal, the analysts said.

He said the appearance of speculative and retail buyers in yesterday's auction gave stability to the market.

Its readers are primarily retail and food-service buyers of fresh produce.