The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1878-04-11
I[.elCAI {, MATTERS.
,E Ho1 rs.1E TRlpE-A LATE SEASON

/ WHOLESALE TRIDE-A LATE SEASON =
/ IEXTENsr0S OFF TERRITORY Coon Pros.
pEcTs-TnE RETAIL TRADE.--A Dispatch
reporter yesterday visited some leading
WHOLESALE dealers in allthe various branches
of trade in the city. all so visited report
| ed that the trade was unusually backward
in opening this season. Some few country
merchants are dropping in, and Others are
sending orders. All are buying cautiously,
4 only reD!enisEing their stocks as they are
sold. They do not seem inclined to make
/ heavy purchases unless they can find ready
sale for cash or its equivalent. A large
quantity OF goods is now sold by COM
mercial travellers that in former times
1 was ordered direct, and taking into
consideration this fact, the sales this season
are as large, il not larger. than usual. Many
1 persons heretofore dealing exclusively with
Baltimore are ordering from Richmond.
There is every reason to believe that as the
season advances the trade in all depart
ments will be increased, although the low
| price of tobacco will seriously retard it.
| The line of territory heretofore embraced
| in the Richmond trade. has been considera-
bly enlarged. Never were there fuller stocks
on hand in every department OF trade than
can nit this time be found on the shelves OF
the Richmond merchants.
The country merchant will here find full
lines in every article from a hreastpln to q
stationary enaine, and from q paper OF
cambria needles 10 a double-decked Sara
toga. Prices remain low, particularly for
manufactured goods, so that what would
have been heretofore large sale really be-
comes an inconsiderable one. This is par
tcularly true in the dry-goods business,
the price OF prints, for instance, having
fallen some twenty-five per cent. Yester-
day in some circles a slight activity in trade
was observable, and a fair average trade
was reported.
| In other branches the movement continues
moderate. With many, however, as before
mentioned, the tendency is toward greater
activity as The season advances, though posi-
tive indications are not yet developed rs to
general briskness in all departments. One
dry-goods man said he had great hope for
excellent movements between April 18th
and May 1st, but added, rather grinl!y,
''that the margin OF profit had been
reduced so low that they all seemed
satisfied il they could turn their
capital over without actual loss" The
general tenor, however, OF ali visited
/ Some business was doing. and the future
opening Of the several previous seasons.
With the facilities Richmond has for trans
portation, the beautiful assortment OF fancy
and staple goods displayed, and the we'll
known liberality and fair dealing OF her
wholesale merchants, there is every reason
to believe that in the next review OF the
trade an increase may be reported proper
tionate to the merits both Of the goods OF
fered and the merchants Offering them.
| It may not be out Of place in this connec-
| ton to state that the retail trade, while by
no means as large as that class OF mer-
chants would desire, is very encouraging.
A number called upon in the various
branches OF business yesterday reported
that their sales were equally as large as at
this season last year, and better than for
March. Nearly all seemed to anticipate Q
better state OF affairs alter the Easter holi-
days. The retail stores OF the city are now
displaying full and beautiful lines OF goods,
and some OF the windows, particularly
those of the dealers in dry goods, fancy ar
ticles, jewelry, clothing, and CONNECTIONS,
are at once the wonder and envy OF many
an impecunious beholder, who, realizing
that it is not .sdistance which lends en-
chantment to the view" can only sigh tc
think that these "things OF beauty" should
be $50 near and yet SO far"