New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-12-24
METROPOLITAN HOLIDAY SUPPLEMENT-.


drygoods stores to girdle an area OF enormous
proportions. A distinct feature to which many
Of The establishments pay particular attention
is the white goods and linen departments. which
offer exceptional advantages to buyers In those
lines.
In this. az well as in almost every other line.
the NewYork merchant has the distinct ad-
vantage OF being on the ground. III the com
mission merchants the jobDers have bar
gains In special lines, he Is the flrst TO see them
He Is constantly in touch with the factories
and mills, IL not directly. at least by reason OF
his proximity to the agents and represents.
tives In this the great distributing centre OF
the country. For this reason he can often orer
his customers advantages which would I've i'm.
possible elsewhere II something is asked for
which he does not happen to have in stock. he
has a large field close at hand from which to
procure IL.
Bargain day In New-York Is looked forward
to not only with eager longing by the women
OF this city. but also by the feminine popula-
tion for miles around. The advertisements OK
raDers are scarred often with more eagerness
than news OF National significance The house
wife has learned to know that here merchants
will put forth their most tempting bargains
and Monday morning finds all of the suburban
trains which converge into NewYork. the ferry
boats and trolleys, filled to overlooking with
women who are rushing toward the great dry
goods stores eager for the fray and each anX-
iOus TO get n share Of the good things which the
energy and enterprise Of the retail merchants
place before them.
these stores cannot but be impressed with the
magnitude Of the business done The throngs
surge up and down the aisles like lines OF busy
ants hurrying to and from their nests Buyers
and sellers alike are full of enthusiasm. 1t is
almost impossible to estimate the number OF
persons who enter such an establishment. A
crude attempt was made some time ago. girl
was stationed at each door with pin cushion
and many papers OF pins. AS each person en-
tered the girl stuck min In the cushion. In
that one store the estimate was placed at fifty
av,A ID 1.xl. xt,z .hor
81 rorcOns who enter store by no means res
an idea of the business done. the fact that in
one store alone some fifty thousand persons en-
tered is suggestive Of the attractiveness Of the
establishments.
DEMANDS OF TO-DAY.
The general indications are that the coming
season will mark an epoch in the history OF
the drygoods business in New-York. Large as
has been the business in the past. the signs Of
returning prosperity point to n future of even
greater activity. Merchants who make a study
Of trade conditions say that there Is rnmistak
able evidence OF greater lberality on the part
Of their customers. and n gratifying fact is
noted in the demand for goods of the better
class The desire for cheap goods, irrespective
81 quality no lOnger seems paramount. The
depression which existed for several years was
largely responsible for the demand for cheap
articles matter how poorly made. People
had little money 10 spend. and they were forced
to consider price before quality. In this respect
the merchants say they note decided improve
ment. Their customers no longer accept what
ever is offered. irrespective Of its merit. Its
comparative value its utility and durability are
p~irts that carefully considered. but. not
outstanding. money is being spent mere freely
and with better grace.
Persons who formerly bought only such arti-
ces as were absolutely necessary now indulge
in occasional Injuries The departments where
fine goods are soil are buster, and there Is q
corr imDrpypmpnt al
other departments.