The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1894-09-11
Wholesale GROCERY Trade.

It cannot be said that there was any great
improvement N the grocery trade during the
last twelve months. though taking all the con
ditions into consideration, the trade has
been about as satisfactory as could well be eX-
pected
the outlook at the beginning of the season
las fall was not encouraging. Trade gener-
ally was demorahzed and unsettled on a
count OF the financial StrengencV OF 1893.
The uncertainty which existed made Whole
sale merchants caleiCI IN rendering credit.
In many instances JObberS we're compel cd to
refuse patrons, who, under ordinary circum-
stances, we're worthy OF credit. As the season
progressed. however, and the Unexpectedly
heavy movement of cotton sprung up, along
in october and Novem ser, there was gen
eral Improvement in business. Debts, which
had teen contracted during the summer and
early fall. were nqudated with more ease
and rapidity than had been expected by he
creditors, IN consequence OF which the
loobers tecame more confident in
the genera situation and began 10
I'LL orders with old time alacrity Ike vol
TINE OF trade chen assumed cons dera54e pro
port. oas and extended with q tair movement
up to the OF the present y6ar.
After the usUaI lull following Christmas
trading was resumed and business during
the entire spring months was good. During
the sumner months just past trade was IN
fueneed by the generally unsettled condition
of the country, caused by tie long and tedious
tariff discussions in congress ana 1t assumed
quiet tone, with Just enoIgh movement to
supply necessary requirements.
he bus ness of the past year while not
amounting TO any ma erldl mere Use, in o.nt
of dollars and cents, was greatly increased IN
the bulk OF goods handled. Prices ruled so
low that larger quantities could c purchased
-or the same amount of money than was the
case in preVlocs years. GCois were in some
cases 10 per cent, cheaper than in |, g. s3,
! he leading articles, such as provisions -four.
grain, sugar Az canned goods were never
so cheap; conse4 uentiy The demand was in
creased, tho gh the profits to the yoUber
were limited. Flour was q Olt 3}4 per
cent cheaper than il had been the previous
year, and consequently the trade pushed the
sale OF breadStunS IN order to make up in
volume the deficiency in pr Provisions
were IN Usually low in price during the winter
and early spring months, Ol 3 the trade in this
line was comparatively Hsht during that
tine. his is counted for, y the ia that
the farmers. realizing the true conditions OF
business. paid Coust dera ole attention 10 rails
ing hogs for home consumption, ard we're
ful y supplied, in some sect ons, until along
in tae spring. AT the tine when the T sup
pies were exhausted md they were compelled
TO seek tae narKets for hog and hominy'
there was an advance n the lrlce at the con
trolling m riets, which has continued up TO
the present time
Notwithstanding the fact that the fruit
crops we're failure. which necessarily reduo-
cd the demand for sugar Tor preserving pur-
poses there was a heavy business done in
sugar. be movements IN butter and cheese
were very heavy and the demand continued
steady throughout the year he low price
in butter. caused an increase in its use TO
tues which had been gaining favor on &C.
count Of differences In the cost
In canned goods there was
steady demand. particularly in the articles OF
household use, such as peas, tomatoes and
corn.
Tobacco and cigars showed a gradual in
crease IN demand. and prices and profits
ruled without material change during the
year.
The liquor business was perhaps the only
one which was not materially Influenced by
the depressed coalition of the times and al
though prices Of recuhed goods were lowered
at the expense OF quality, the demand in
point of quantity continued heavy. There
was an unusually lar quantity OF liquors
sold during the past three months. This.
however is no indf alton o an increased con-
sumption, but the result oilhe endeavors Of
dealers TO put In fun supply before the
extra tax on these goods became a law. since
the passage OF the law increasing the revenue
tax on liquors from 20 cents 10 81 10 the prices
have Deen advanced to meet the difference.
The volume OF business Ia liquor may now be
expected 70 decrease until the large supply
on hand is exhausted.
10 sum up. the grocery merchants dld not
make as much money as their capital and
facilities for doing business would seem 10
warrant. but the volume of merchandise
handled greatly exceeded that OF the previous
year. TIE railroad fGclitles we're satsfac-
10 ~ auu ada much tu tho trade by the
prompt and careful Distribution 0f goods. The
business along the Central and savannah.
Florida and Western railroads as all that