Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1914-12-24
RETAIL STORES EXPECT
ENORMOUS CROWD TO-DAY
Shop Early Admonitions Appear Not
to Have Been Needed by
Local Peoples.
ARMY Or BELATED SHOPPERS
Stores Will BE damned With Persons
Anxious to Make Purchases-AN
Lines Report That Business So Far
Has Been Exceptionally Good.

shop early admonitions were evil
IDENTITY not needed this year by local
people. as the shops. stores and mar
kets were crowded yesterday from
morning TO night with belated shop
pers. On every hand, retailers made
the statement that business liz far bet
ter than last year which was n record
breaker. In many instances the actual
cash sales are far in excess of the cor
responding periods OF other years
while practically all stores are doing
an exceptionally large book trade.
Purchases. said one prominent mer-
chant. are more substantial this year
than usual. Novelties are not moving
ny fast as could be desired hut the
.ytaplc lines are more than making up
the deficiency. Jewelry establishments
however. are disposing OF much stock,
with the solid value wares moving
briskly TO the detriment OF the cheaper
lines.
BROAD STREET WILL.
BE SCENE OF HIG CRUSH
Only one more day remains in which
TO make purchases, and il is feared
that the crush to-day on Broad Street
VIII lie terrific. The crowd was too
large yesterday to be given proper at
tentfon by the overworked sales forces
and 1t Is expected that the volume Of
business to-day Will be enormous, in
spite Of the dull period.
While many Of the retail stores have
done large business. the clothing deal
ers are experiencing n backward sea-
son. Yet the business is said by Sow
eral to be exceptionally good. A cold
snap, however, will be necessary to
start some OF the lines moving out
Novelties In wearing apparel are SELL
ing brskly.
Grocery and produce dealers state
that their business Is better than was
anticipated. The large Broad and
Main Street establishments resemble
tho department stores in the crowds
of buyers. In the markets, trade in
the green groceries. late vegetables,
poultry and other accessories for the
Christmas table. is exceptionally brisk
Prices, too. are reasonable. and within
the reach Of the majority of the people
RETAIL MERCHANTS
ENJOY BIG TRADE
AS an indication of the volume OF
business done during the past few
months. Secretary w. A Clarke, Jr,
of the Retail Merchants Association
has been forced to increase his Office
force to take care OF the business sent
in by the members. The association
acts as clearing house for credits
and from the number of inquiries re-
ceived, it is believed that big business
is belng uone among the retailers.
Secretary Clarke last night stated
that he had visited many Of the stores
during the day, and all had huge
crowds, and were apparently doing a
good business. He predicted that the
balance sheet at the end OF the month
will show that the volume of sales this
year will fully equal, If not exceed
the record Of 1913.
Yesterday afternoon the First Mar
l1et was turned over to flower and
Christmas greens dealers. Sixth Street
on both sides for two blocks was a
solid mass of color. and the scene fully
rivalled that Of any day preceding the
Easter season. when the blooms are
supposed to be at their best Cut
flowers, potted plants, and nll varieties
of evergreens were there Many of
the floral designs were of exceptional
beauty, showing the taste of the ven
doris, who do the work themselves