A RUN TO THE SWEET 16 CAN MEAN BIG BUSINESS FOR RETAILERS

          Valparaiso Univ., heading to this weekend's NCAA men's
     Sweet 16, "has locals going bananas," according to George
     Lazarus of the CHICAGO TRIBUNE.  On Monday, the school's
     Book Center had "sold or received orders for more than
     $21,000 in merchandise, ranging from T-shirts to car flags. 
     That is ten times as much as the store does on a "normal
     day."  Elegan Sportswear, Inc., a Valparaiso wholesaler of
     embroidered merchandise and screen printing, "expects to
     sell an additional 2,000 T-shirts beyond those that were
     shipped to retailers Monday" (CHICAGO TRIBUNE, 3/18).
          HUSKY FEVER: The Univ. of WA's NCAA Tournament run "has
     spurred brisk sales of UW hoops paraphernalia."  Shawna
     Gibson, Manager of the DawgHouse, a University District
     sporting goods store, said that sales "picked up" following
     the Huskies' first win, but after the second win, "people
     have been asking about Sweet 16 T's" (SEATTLE TIMES, 3/17).
          NEW PROMO: For the first time ever, a retail promotion
     geared to drive sales of NCAA Women's Final Four merchandise
     has been launched.  Ocean Spray is the presenter of the
     promo, and Goody's Family Clothing is the host retailer at
     45 of its TN store locations.  Each store will display
     Women's Final Four merchandise throughout March.  Shoppers
     at the participating stores can enter a contest, with the
     Grand Prize winner receiving an all-expense paid trip for
     two to the Women's Final Four in Kansas City (NCAA).