1. A method for sorting a plurality of items, to each of which a sequence number is assigned, into a predetermined sorted sequence using a plurality of sorting regions, including for each sort, at least one initial sorting region, and at least two additional sorting regions, at least one of the additional sorting regions functioning as a return region, the items being initially located in the at least one initial sorting region, the method comprising the acts of: sorting the items in each at least one initial sorting region into an intermediary sorted set by moving at least some of the items in the at least one initial sorting region between the at least one initial sorting region and at least two of the additional sorting regions; and sorting the items within each intermediary sorted set by moving at least some of the items to the return region in substantially the predetermined sorted sequence.