New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1874-08-29
VIEWS OF DRY GOODS MERCHANTS.

Mr.. Arnold of Arnold, Constable 81 Co. told
a TRIBUNE reporter that he thought there were about
the number OF buyers in his house for this time in
the trade representing beside the jobbing interest
many large retailers, but that sales little back
ward. Purchasers giving somewhat smaller orders
than in the early part OF the Fail trade last year. and
there is shown there has been for months gen.
eral disposition to repensh stocks no faster than is
necessary and to shun all speculative ventures. In
era the dry goods trade may be considered to be In
substantial aud healthy state as the pressure or the
last years has weeded out many feeble firms. and
has enforced cautious course upon all. This
sells the finer classes OF goods, and finds
O fair demand for them In these frugal
times. Mr. Arnold expects that the West will
take average quantity of fine goods this year. unless
local damages from grasshOppers and other causes shall
prove serious than they appear but there is
not that natural growth OF Western trade which
was exhibited before tho crisis. The firms Southern
trade has not fully begun and ls not extensive
as years when the South took fine goods South
ern trade, said Mr. Arnold. begins now much later than
it did formerly. Fifteen years ago numerous buyers
from South were in NewYork In the middle of July.
but now owing the increase of of quick trans
poraton Southern buyers don't find 1t necessary to be
in the oity TIL the middle or latter part OF August.
At the warehouse OF ii. d. Clafin Co. the inquirer
Informed, by member OF the firm. that their Fall
trade had begun fairly and little later than last year.
and afforded promise OF sound business for the next
few weeks of reasonable volume. The number buy
ers from the South and West is probably about
as large last year at this time. While they
chiefly represent the jobbing interest, there are
many retailers among them from those cities which are
not hand. In sections Of the country the
number OF in business has been considerably de-
creased the this year indicate that
is considerable expansion OF business In spite OF the
effects of the crisis, IN those parts OF the country
which growing, and this expansion is APP
parently a healthy one Dealers have been pur-
suing q cautious and conservative policy for eight
months past and pretty well prepared for
Autumn purchases. They ask all the time they can
get but that they always do and they have been
rying light stocks and been careful to SECURE them
selves there appears no reason to look for any large
number OF failures In the quality Of the goods which
are called there little change to notice from last
year. except that year by year domestic goods
stantly encroachng on imported goods In worsted
goods and English stuff goods the change has recently
been particularly marked as American manufactures
have made great advance in excellence in these. The
giving way OF imported articles TO those American
make does not affect the wholesale merchants much
as retailers whose profits limited by the quota
lions domestic goods the newspapers People see
these and make up their minds that they ought not to
be charged than so much, and will not pay more.
In general, prices in dry goods somewhat lower
than last year. but the PROFITS Of wholesale merchants
are about the same.
The head OF the Oldest soundes and wealthiest
dry-goods houses in the city SAID that thus far his
August trade had been little larger than s73 Of
pretty satisfactory character or obbers, have
been good many in the city this month, and their
purchases are said have been considerable But they
buy mainly from the agents Of manufacturers the COM
mission houses and In package from importers instead
of from wholesale dryg goods houses. Many importers
IN complain OF very hard times, not only
70 the effects crisis OF last FAIL to the tncreas
ing mportatons OF goods directly the West Field
Letter Co. OF Chicago are among the largest direct i'm
porers In counry and TO the progress Of American
manufactures which steadily gaining the sales OF
imported goods But while obbers buy early because they
must have their goods In stock and display the early
part OF September retailers have hardly begun buying
briskly yet. Improved means OF alton are
80 universal In the country that retail merchants
do not have TO buy early In former years. The
furthest place which send goods only requires
DAYS reach where two months weeks
merly required IL that heavy sales OF dry goods
hardly begin till September II may be said |
that there Is for encouragement. The houses |
last August, because many firms have gone
out trade then While the volume OF trade
likely TO be- large enough to satisfy all the whole
sale dealers it Will rest sound bssts There have
not been many failures the retail this year. aud
suHcient ground for fearing that there will
be many FALL The effects Of the crisis gradu-
ext year After the crises Of 81 57 1t took about
months for TO its former
tone but dealers generally have been cautious that
they are In good condition to meet demands upon them
and the condition OF trade 10 constantly improving
next year will probably be notable one for trade.
The crisis said this merchant, has had marked effect
the character Of the demand In dry goods After O
panic months there call for the cheaper cloths
and especially for cacoes The sales Of caicoes the
past twelve months have been enormous. Tho demand
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