New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1874-09-05
ASPECTS OF AUTUMN TRADE.
EFFECTS OF THE CRISIS IN CERTAIN LINES
OF BUSINESS

OF BUSINESS.
OPENING OF FALL TRADE IN Observation-Disclosures
IN THE SOUTH AFFECTED by DRoUTH-GooD
PROMISE FOR THE wEsT-BACKWARDNEss IN
FURNITURE sALEs-THE TENDENCY TO CHEAPER
sTYIEs-DEPREssIoN AMONG THE IRON WORKERS
Inquiry and observation concerning the Fail
promise in three great departments OF business III
New York-the wholesale grocery trade. the whole
sale furniture trade and the business OF the wofkes
in iron-show variety OF experience ana expec-
tation among leading firms. All agree, however,
that both among retailers and those OF whom they
buy there is and has been abundant caution this
year. There has been no speculation and NOBODY Is
making very heavy investments, although the very
light stocks which have been carried for months In
all parts of the country. have not yet been filled up
Hopeful merchants speak brisky of activity late IN
the season. but all are ready to admit that retail
dealers are rather inclined to buy in small quanti-
ties from time to time than to pursue their usual
policy of buying enough at once to keep them sup
piled for somo months Grocers who sell In the
South have lost some Of the lively hope of big Fall
trade which they had in midsummer, on account OF
the effect of drOuth in tobaccogrowiDg sections ana
upon parts of the cotton crop. In the west grocers
look for reasonable trade their expectations being
based rather on the promise of the crops than upon
the orders of the buyers who have yet come 10 the
city. 1t may be inferred from all the reports that
safe trade of fair volume will be done IN groceries
this Fall in moderate, rather deliberate way, Win
few failures and with little variation in prices, ex-
cent in coffee from those which ruled year ago.
The expansion of the trade in Texas is noted by sew
era and that is perhaps the only State in the Union
from which more orders have come to New-iorK
since the panic than in the same time before 1t.
In tie furniture business neither the foreign nor
1yyifh
of 1872 or of 1873 before the crisis. Prices have
lowered with reduction of wages but little change
in the cost of materials while dealers are slow to
buy demand greater reductions in price and take
few of the most luxurious goods The trade in the
South has been one of cheap goods mainly for some
seasons, and since the crisis the general trade has
been gradually working in that direction. The
starting of numerous manufactures in the West Is a
movement which has already begun to affect New
York makers, and will probably have more effect on
their sales yearly. as the products OF the Western
shops fast improving. Wholesale houses have
not given over hope of considerable shipments later
in the season, but they concede prices which give
much less profit than those of some other seasons.
The prostration of building interests and other
circumstances of disbursement make the state
mens Of the majority of the workers in iron rather
dolefu Most of those who have contracts enough
to keep them occupied Tor tlme-and tnelr Cases
are exceptional-look forward to an almost idle
Winter, while those who have little to do now will
not venture to anticipate any activity until next
Spring. Even the stove-makers are not busy, as is
shown by their light purchases of iron. the low cost
Of which gives manufacturers little room for profit,
as the depression of business has beaten down their
prices to almost unremuneratiye rates. hard
Winter for workmen in iron is looked for, as great
ynanv of them are idle now and many more in few
weeks will be added to the number of those out of
work. And unless there is more activity in the
furniture trade than now seems altogether probable,
the ranks of the unemployed will be swelled by OK
tensive accessions from the furniture shops