Omaha daily bee., 1895-12-22
CONDITION OF OMAHA'S TRADE
Local Jobbing Bu,iness Generally Quiet il
the Regular Lines.
COUNTRY COLLECTIONS CONTINUE SLOW
weather Proves n Dctrimcnt TO Busi.
ncss-Tbc Holiday scnson Has
Developed n Fair Demand
for Fancy Goods.

The exceedingly mild and unreasonable
weather continues the chief disturbing
cement In trade circles. Even when the
Il arfcial condition Of the country is at its
best, 1t has been found impossible to do
business In the winter months so long as
the weather is mild enough for spring
tine. Now that money is none too plenti-
ful In the country. and consumers are In
c.iacd to practice economy, the fact that
the weather has been so mild during the
past week has a still greater influence
upon the volume of trade than usual. 1t
Is not surprising, in view of these facts,
that the jobbers are reporting only n fair
trade for general merchandise during the
past six days.
In holiday goods there has been a fair
movement, and as a general thing jobbers
express themselves as well satisfied with
the holiday trade, as 1t has proven fully
as good as they anticipated. The time
when only a few houses handling spe-
~cialities enjoyed the benefits Of the holiday
trade has passed, and now almost every
jobbing house makes a point of handling
something that can be utilized for Christ
mas presents. While holiday goods have
9 sesn r sS'n K q she regular dFssily. f flnas. has been a
The markets during the past week have
on most kinds Of merehandise remained
war scare appear to have been confined
mostly 10 the speculative markets.
GROCERY TRADE FAIR.
While the demand for staple lines has
not been very active during the past week
thu near approach of Christmas increased
di""nmand for holiday goods was rather back
oped into considerable activity, and the
jobbers were kept busy getting everything
and grocers; fancy articles have eonsti-
tuted a very important feature OF the
1t is said that canned corn and tomatoes
the 1arkett' and from some Quarters come
predictions that they will sell higher be-
lore the end of the, winter. u
fornia prunes are in a very firm position
a.d supplies remaining at points Of pro
at this season of the year. 1t is said in
California that over four-fifths of the sup
ply has been moved out of the state al
Domestic molasses has had a, little up
turn: consequent upon free buying In the
Imported currants are pretty well cleaned
up, in the markets of the country, and
ton of duty is settled by the courts, where
1t is now pending.
CHRISTMAS HELP HARDWARE.
ness for the period under review. though II
Is not to be expected that the trade Will
take hoid very freely or place orders be;
The hardware merchants have been push
ing into the holiday trade this season, and
report a large business in skates. If
Christmas only came in the summer time,
holiday goods. The trade is already COM
l1sncing to ak 1 BICYCLES and i is pre-
a than last she SEASON. ame a The ofaze w'l If # Re MAY iaTE se
called such, is only just commencing to
spread in the country, and the jobbsrs are
rcxt spring. Last year the bicycle bust
ness was in many, respects very unsatls-
cient number of wheels from the factory
70 fill orders making 1t very disagreeable
listen to innumerable Complaints from
their customers: Next season it is expected
that the manufacturers will be better pre-
pared to take care of the demand, and
that the delays and disappointments of
last season will not pa,6 be 5e ,n t.
not large. either here or in any section Of
the country.
SPRING ORDERS FOR SHOES.
yereIy from the warm weather. which is
keeping down the demand in all sections
ff bb bsieudda la yo te Igdk for y As a m general imn thing
.pect. A good. heavy snow storm. or ever
a great deal to put new life into this
branch of the jobbing trade.
spring orders are commencing to arrive
from the western states; but so far Ne
brasta retailers have held off, apparently
awaiting developments before placing or
$50
Hides during the past week have shown
some frmness. and while there Is consid-
cradle difference of opinion there appears
to be "A growing conviction that there is an
actual scarcity and that prices must even
ivally seek a higher level. All this is in
favor of the maintenance of values on foot
wear.
r GOODS DULL.
In the line of dry goods there has been
very little doing during the past week, in
season of the year in this particular line,
What orders are coming forward are for
small lots of goods to piece out stocks
which have been broken in some one line.
Not only has trade been very quiet at
this point. but the reports from all sections
Of the country are to the same effect.
Even In New York there is said to be al
most nothing doing of any Importance, and
what Is more the present dizziness Is ex-
pected to continue until the coming of the
new year. after which there should be a
gradual revival of activity.
With the demand so. light 1t is only nat
urnl that the market should remain practi-
cally unchanged.
Just as better things were expected of
the clothing trade, a strike broke out In
New York which promises to act as a detrl-
ment upon business for some little time to
come.