Smyrna times., 1884-08-27
JOHN WANAMAKER'S.
Store News.

1t is a hard time for mer-
chants, especially for manu-
facturers; and by a hard
time we mean a time when
they are losing money rather
than making. This is the
general fact. Amerchant who
bought his goods six months
ago is sure to be losing now;
a manufacturer who is at
work on stuff that is already
too plenty is worse off than
the merchant. Such is the
condition Of most merchants
and manufacturers now for
a few months.
Wholesale merchants and
manufacturers, both, are
holding great quantities Of
almost everything in trade;
holding--not for better prices
for buyers. Buy, rs are
scarce, because merchants
have got already more than
they can sell. There is gen
eral stagnation.
But this very condition of
things affords a signal oppor-
tunity for a merchant who is
not burdened with goods
and has the requisite outlet.
He can buy any quantity of
the most desirable merchan~
disc, undersell the retail
market, and still make a
profit. This is our condition
exactly.
We sell in a year more
than four times the quantity
of goods we now have in
stock; and our sales are
going to be more, not less
because we adapt our buying
and selling to the times we
are in. We spoke Of max
ing a profit on these low
prices. Not always. We
are not smart enough to
judge correctly beforehand
always. When we miss the
best thing, we try the next
best. When we find we
have bought on a falling
market, we hasten to sell at
a loss, instead Of waiting
after the ancient fashion; but
the outgoing tide of trade
here carries the wrecks of
SO quickly that we do not
stop to grieve over losses
Time is cmphatically money
where events develop SO fast
What is the result, that we
ask you to read of our prob
lens and tactics? Why, the
result is that here is a differ
ent condition Of things from
what you expect of the gene
raj dulness. 1t is said to BIZ
dull; no trade. 1t isn't dul
here, not even in August o
a very hard summer. Every
body is holding his or he
money a little more firmly
everybody is a little NOR,
cautious in paying it out
That is all in our favor. TIL
5 harder the time and the NOR
) cautious people become, tn
i more readily they go to
!. place where advantage tun
blcs to their side of the bal
: gain with the solidest guar
antee (money back if the
want on the top of i
We are not old enough yt
4 to be quite sure of the fact
5. but it looks as if hard time
a we're actually good for |
n here, as if people might nee
2 the stimulus OF fear to brin
5, out the fullneSS of tl:cir est
1t mat. cf what we are steadiI
n doing il good times and ba
ID The store is full of me
$ chandise; and the prices al
Sc Sc what our view Of the oppO
Ir5 % tuni'y makes them. 1t is nj
l. a time for the quickest thing
Iy Of fashion. 1t is a time f,
a a getting almost all the su
y stantial staple things to we;
aG aP and keep house with. 1t
.ir time to make money
q q spending it 1t is a time f'
y y caution but the caution is
be shown in choosing VIII
s. S. you buy, and tn barga
mt mt you make. And surely wh'
the bottom appears to
iaSt reached in goods, and Il
st st top Of the purchasing low
- in money, and people a
: trying to be watchiul al
wise-that is our time
advertise, to tell as nearly