Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1916-10-23
RETAIL BUSINESS
BETTER THAN EVER
October Is Doing Things to
Past Records Even Before
Month Closes.
.'DEADBEATs" ARE LESS

The retail business thus far in Octo-
Der has been the heaviest ever rec
orded for that month in Omaha, ac-
cording to the leading merchants, and
the feeling is that the close OF the
month in another ten days will estab-
lish a record for October retail bust
ness in the metropolis.
General prosperity of Nebraska
and the corn belt" is the way the re-
tailers explain it. That is the only
explanation they have TOR the large
volume OF business. The Ak-Sar- Ben
crowds cannot figure as factor in
this increase, for the Ak-Sar-Ben
crowds have been in Omaha in Octo-
Der for many years.
Collections Good.
Customers are paying up their ac-
counts better at the retail stores than
they ever did. This is noticeable at
headquarters Of the credit department
of the Associated Retailers of Omaha,
where detailed information is kept by
means OF card system Of all accounts
opened and the promptness or lack Of
promptness with which they are paid.
Collections were never in better
shape said Secretary ]. w. Metcslfe
Of the association. This is due to
two things, general prosperity in this
section, and clearer realization on
the part OF the buyer of what It means
TO him personally to keep his credit
standing good in the community by
meeting his bills by the tenth or fif-
tecnth of the month succeeding the
month OF purchase. Ones ability to
get credit is based entirely on his
habit OF paying, not at all on his finan-
cial standing. One might be a mil
lionaire and yet have the reputation
Of never paying bill without being
sued for it. Such person, in spite
of his known wealth, would have diff
Guilty getting credit. On the Other
hand, the person on the lowest salar,
may have good credit II the record!
show that his habits of meeting hi
obligations are good"
All Lines Good.
There is probably not a line o.
goods carried by the department
stores in Omaha that has not enjoyet
4 good trade in October. September
too, was much better than September
OF a year ago. Clothing and shoe
have sold well and in large quantities
A retail line which is always con
sidered good index to the prosperit,
Of the community Is the jeweiry line
This line has enjoyed a splendid trad'
which has been growing better durinl
the last few months. Not only is thi
8 true Of the jcwclry trade in Omaha
but II Is true throughout the state ant
adjoining states which are considered
Omaha's trade territory.
g. Jewelry Business Better.
Il Il can safely say now that the jew
dry business in the territory u 50 pc
cent better than II was last year. sal,
o. ]. Bruner, head Of the T. ]. Bruno
Wholesale Jcwelry company In Oma
ha. Fact Is the jewellers out In tn,
state lately are too blamed busy Il
come in. They are telephoning in or
ders, and saying that they cannot &c
away TO come down because there i
business every minute"
A. r. Smith Of the A. F. Smitl
Wholesale Jewelry company said alst
that the jewelry trade Is vastly bette
than last year He, too, has foun,
that many Of the retailers Throughout
the state are too busy to come in.
notable instance Is that OF John Nor
ris, jeweier, Of Carson, Ia, who drive
his car into Omaha habitually at leas
once 4 week to look over the stock
81 the jewelry wholesale houses. Nor
IL has now missed three successiv
weeks. Instead Of driving In, he !
tclcphoning his orders and havinl
them rushed by parcel post.