New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1902-09-22
IN THE FOREIGN SHOPS.
AMERICAN METHODS THEY MIGHT INTRO
DUCE TO ADVANTAGE

It is occasionally instructive and interesting to
read the private sooquies Of the journals OF those
trades which cater 10 woman customers one
such paper. The Dry Goods Economist" discuss
ing the points of difference In the drygoods BUSH
ness as seen in America and England said in q
recent article:
The British consumer is far more under the
domination Of the merchant than IS the American.
In fact, the woman Of the better class IN Eng
land may be regarded as the ideal customer plac-
ing herself almost wholly in the retailers hands
as 10 values and quality The tendency Of the
B1usher and his wife and daughter a the counter
is to take what is shown them at the price quoted
Inc American consumer does her buying rather
along the lines of the purchaser for commercial
purposes. weighing qualities and statements and
examining offerings before coming TO decision"
This would seem to indicate that the American
woman is not such fool she is sometimes as
sumed be
one thing which strikes an American forcbly."
continues the periodical, rs the entire absence Of
any disposition TO make visitor to the store feel
at home whether a purchaser or not
There Is practically shopping aroma in 7 .o,,
don or. for that matter In any other Tglisb c+,
or town Instead Of being allowed to roam through
the store without any Interference. as is the case
In any large American city the visitor entering a
London store is Immediately asked v,ha. She de
sires and Is passed on from one hoorvyaIer to an
other until she is safely landed At the counter
where the goods designated are sold.
AS d result, comparatively few shoppers are
no Trall
amount OF resolution to Withstand the inportuni-
ties Of the salesman and the INQUIRIES az - nh
she could not be suIled which are fired az bar r.,
all sorts OF assistants afraid are the r,rg1isb
public OF disappointing the store mana cement MT
frequently the would-be customer who cannot -.
suited will buy some trifiing article in 90. -
avoid the unpieasantness inseparable from, lea,
ing the store without purchasing The EnpIisb
salesman or saeSwoman employs all the pertinacit,,
and persuasion he or she safely ye1tItra 49,
to induce The customer TO buy. upon
The assistant is trafred 10 do tbie -, ~. -
agehentr Wfllch holds II almost a capitaI offanca
70 Peail1 q customer 70 go away without buvng
IN many stores the sales person is severely, 1ngs
for this offence. ~o''41iS hlleu
In a London store there are no facilities g.
rapid disposition Of merchandising cash carriers
no wrappers in departments. In rnanv storae tbo
me he saIe M 'rI own packages while as
to the desk and brings back the cnanea 0 'dSii
Nor Is any special attention paid 10 the CON
lavatores are conspicuous by their absenma aI Iii
re GG1,l' ~ Ie resting rooms. equipped with
ihagf5IIs9 ana WflthS materials, almost nm
heard of Tea have been fntro,S,,nn5 IN
few establishments within recent years: bur soda
stores the customer who might be overcornS my b p
fatigue or neat would have difficulty in obtaining
The general impression in America 10 that s,ooa
nandse.especialy drygoods and cIothingeca1
De bought more caeaply in England than AT borna
But this is true of only few lines II is trna that
some or the goods offered in London stores are Of
however are inferior to the same class oS In
Shanaase when Is nanHfactpred in Great Britain
Furthermore, there is little attempt tn hiring o,,.
oeautiful articles, especially in ready made ySesr
day offerings IN American stores while the con
slant aim for high prices precludes the possibtv
by wldeawake stores in the United STATES -'eA'eu
1t Is not too much TO say that the smart An1ar,
can woman VINO IS on the hunt for bargains snd
well posted as TO values can cIothe herself rn ono
MY ana atlIIracuveiy and at less cost in New
London" "e can IN