Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-01-01
HAD GOOD BUSINESS.
DEALERS GIVE CHEERING RE-
PORTS OF THE RETAIL TRADE.
ALMOST UNIVERSALLY DID WELL.
The Past Year an Improvement
over the Preceding One I'm Every
Line-The Dealers Very Hopeful MS
TO 1S0s.
to 1s0s.

The consensus OF opinion among the re-
tail dealers OF Richmond is that business
during 1887 was better than during 1895.
Some Of the city merchants tell the Dis
patch that they saw no improvement,
but these are in the great minority-a
minority not so great, however as that
composed OF those who found their trade
not SO good or who do not expect 1898
10 be better than 1897, from business
point Of view.
Every branch OF trade seems to have
done better than in 1896 Decreases in
sales are announced in some branches,
but in the great majority 1t will be OBJ
served sales were better In some cases
very much so.
It is natural, then. that the new year
should be entered upon with hopefulness.
It is gratifying, as well, for a belief in
better times makes times better. 1t
seems that they all expect great things
during 1898, and their expecting It Is par
tial assurance, at least, that they will
not be disappointed. This is what some
Of the most prominent retailers of Ricn-
mond say of 1897, and predict for 1898:
-
Mr.. Ike Cohen, Of the Cohen Company,
dry goods: The trade of our house has
been more satisfactory the past year than
I'm any OF at least i've previous, and
see no reason why the little squirt CT
prosperity should meet with sudden check
just yet. It's my opinion that we are
entering year in which peace and plenty
will reign supreme; certainly for those
who will keep their mouths open, SO as
to catch their share.
-
Mr.. Meyer Sycle, dry goods: think the
country in general is in a more prospe-
rous condition than it has been since the
end Of 1892 Still, we will hardly see the
day that the people will spend money as
literally, as lavishly, as they did prior
to that time. This is a new era-the
methods of living, the methods of doing
business. must be changed to suit, and
we will have prosperous and happy times.
Our business for 1897 has been very salts
factory, and everything points to in
creased sales in 1898. Our holiday sales
were larger than they have been in flve
years. The majority OF our customers
| did not buy as expensive articles, but
the aggregate showed a decided increase.
The Globe Shoe and Clothing Company:
Ourselves-possbly it is not good taste
TO make personal illusions, but we are
such an excessively young firm that II
| may be pardoned. We cannot point with
pride TO a long and distant past. II is
| only sixteen short months since we made
our bow 10 the Richmond public. In this
short period OF time we have built up a
| business second 10 none in our line we
think the outlook for 1898 is bright. There
is an atmosphere of confidence and re-
newed spirit Of energy among all classes
Of trade and industry which presages
| better times The country Is compare
lively prosperous. and the wealth of the
land is distributed in perhaps as fair
| proportion as it ever will be. So dom
let us bemoan over fate. but keep up
with the procession, remembering that
success begets success"
|
Messrs. Miller & RhOads, dry goods: y
| noticeable increase in our business since
the ushering in OF the fall season, In
volume far exceeding any previous ten
years, gives rise TO hopeful indications
FOR 1885 one OF the most healthful signs
Of prosperity, and one that has lasting
| ring 10 it, is the steady rise In prices
OF raw materials and manufactured pro.
ducts. which will start up our idle mills
and give work 10 the laboring classes
Farmers are realizing very good prices
for their products, and the result Is a
decidedly Increased business from that
direction. a summary Of our experience
from the past three months seems to as
sure a prosperous year ahead.
Mr.. Charles Hutzler. Of A. Hutzler's Sons
dry goods: In looking back through the
past year I perceive conditions that have
required continued watchfulness, care
ana conservatism Of judgment, and fine
that our business stands in about the
same position Il occupied a year ago
| This Is somewhat contrary to business
rules, which require that enterprise
must either advance - recede. In seek
ing a cause for the abs>1ce Of profitable
returns. l find there is a general de-
moralization Of public relationship tc
sound business principles, which are DIS
turbed by the alluring schemes of gift
enterprises, and other devices devoid
even Of the redeeming features or gam
| bling. It seems that the merchant who
travels out Of this path Is doomed &c
struggle awhile longer and wait fol
moral regeneration. With abiding faitf
i'm the ultimate triumph Of the higher
standard, / calmly look forward TO wna'
| is now not well estabiished-a return OF
confidence between buyer and seller. Turn
| ing from the past anu pltSthl, anu iSSh
| ing forward, the greatest promise in the
direction of prosperity may be seen II
! the firm strengthening Of values, which
| is a reversal of the past four years eX
| perience This gives the merchant g
| chance TO recuperate his strength, anC
| helps to bring on an era OF thrift when
under present conditions. would be NOR
beneficial II IT approach gradually ant
with easy strides. The conservative mar
i'm business is the conservator Of the ma
TONS wealth.
o. II. Berry & Co, clothing: / undouot-
edly think that business is looking up
ward. Our business has materially in
creased in the past six months over the
corresponding period Of a year ago. The
popular tendency is toward better-grad'
goods than has been demanded for the
last year or so, which, think, indicates
a much better feeling, and look for or
increased demand for the higher qualities
of merchandise for the coming year.
Messrs. Jacob Levitt & Son, dry goods
and millinery: Considering the chronic
cry which our people have gotten in tn
habit OF uslng-hard times, no money
and so on,-we congratulate ourselves oil
having been as successful as we really
have been during the past year. GU
gross amount Of sales ran very mucl
| ahead Of any year during our existence
| and we can only complain about ont
feature OF business at the present time
! and that Is the tendency towards low
uriced goods which naturally AFFECT
nrodts greatly our holiday trade wa
| exceptionally good and. TO use the mOntl