The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1913-12-23
HOLIDAY TRADE
BEATS.LAST YEAR
Volume OF Buying Indicates That
Richmond People Are
Prosperous.
TWO MORE DAYS TO SHOP
Public Urged to Visit Stores To-
Day to Avoid Street Crowds
on Christmas Eve.

With two more shopping days to
swell the total, merchants said last
night that the holiday trade III many
lines was far ahead OF the record last
year. and the volume OF buying gives
stroug evidence OF the general pros
pcrity hcrcabOut. The rush to-day
will be followed by n greater rush to-
morrow, and when the doors close OH
Christmas Eve the army of clerks will
find the first relief they have cX-
perienccd in weeks. Shoppers were
urged yesterday not to put off their
visits to the stores until Tomorrow
night for with the thousands of peo-
pie i'll the street. it will he well nigh
impossible to get within striking dis
lance of the shops with which they
want to deal. They are reminded that
a trip to-day will save an extra amount
of trouble in the closing hours.
Thousands Shoppcd Early.
w. y. Clarke, Jr., secretary OF the
Retail Merchants Association, whose
Office puts him in close touch with
the heart Of the holiday business said
| last night that the buying had reach
ed enormous proportions, except in
clothing lines, where II had been re-
tardcd to a large extent by warm
weather. This is true the world over
on the eve of Christmas. but Il cold
wave Oh Thursday, for instance. would
instantly send thousands Of buyers to
the market.
The merchants arc impressed with
! the fact that the Shop-early doctrine
! so long preached III this town is
hearing fruit, bearing II nbundantly
this year said Mr.. Clarke. 1T would
surprise you TO know how many people
| did their Christmas buying weeks ago
\ They saw the wisdom of that policy
and they protlted by it; 1t helped the
merchants and the clerks but il was
of more especial advantage to the buy
crs. l should say that the volume OF
trade gives every indication that our
| people are prosperous and il YOU would
stand around and look YOU would find
I that in this day and time there is
, less OF that useless giving which has
made Christmas Il burden heretofore.
| Broad Street and Main Street and all
the cross-town streets have had their
/ share. and there Is no complaint al
/ though II the weather had been colder
| the grand total would have been much
! larger 1t Is often uliflcult 10 sell q
man winter outfit when he is In
clined to tile belief that we are not
/ going TO have any winter ut all But
The will be there when the frost be-
gins TO bite him.
Parcel Post Helps,
The parcel post has also added Its
| part, as the thousands OF packrc.
being shipped out OF Richmond every
day will prove. If you watch the
J crowds StanGlnS In line at the post
| Office. waiting to have n little gift
weighed and stamped, YOU get n good
idea of the business, but YOU must
: not think that is all. Other thousands
! OF packages are going out direct from
the store waGon-loads of them
weighed and stamped at the store
| The parcel service doubtless results in
more remembranccs being sent 10
/ friends elsewhere, for most people
used To have the impression that II
required great deal OF postage to
carry an ordinary package.
You might remind the shoppers that
it is 20 their advantage TO shop on
Tuesday and not wait until Wcdncs-
day They have done mighty we'll
but they can do better by visiting the
| stores on Tuesday"
Mr.. Clarke was constantly on the
jump yesterday. lie is in q position
TO estimate the holiday trade more ac-
I cUratcly than any other person i'm
! Richmond and the general appearance
of prosperity convinces him that this
is a mighty good town.