Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1916-01-07
WHERE YOU BUY. III.-Chain Stores.
BY FREDERIC ]. HAsKIN.

fcient advertising better methods generally which
result from their organization.
chains have sometimes been acquired acct
dentally when the jobber had buy the stock of
tail store in order himself from losses and
gradually got into the retail business. In other cases.
jobbers have been forced by competition to establish
stores of their 1t is a noteworthy fact that in
instances jobbers acquired factories well
retail the middleman thus eliminating both
the end men.
Nearly the manufacturers chain
into existence could not find
satisfactory outlets for their goods through ordinary
stores Typewriter and register chains among
the most typical and familiar. Shoes, confectionery,
hats sewing machines and monographs also extern
sively sold in this
There is other type of chain store, and that is
the consumers cooperative store 1t has not yet at
tanned deal of development in this country, but
is well known in Europe There, it might be added
the tendency is strongly chain store, either
comparatively privately owned
Many chain stores known price-cutters. mark
ing down standard merchandise in order to kill COM
petition This practice is the basis of most of the OBJ
jeotions to chain stores as considered an unfair
of competition by other retailers and is practice
doubtful economic effect The chain stores enjoy
further advantage in that they may exploit special
brands of goods of their and create market for
them. Then they may cut prices upon the standard
goods which being featured by the single stores
This is sort of competition which the single store
has a hard time to meet.
In case of desperate competitor the chain system
has another advantage in that it undersen its
rivals at given town. while making up the dehc1t IN
may said that the organza-
buying
does enable give the efficient and
service but that when this power is used
competition chain store is imparing
its value to the community.
The chief disadvantage of the chain is that
the it does not it. 1t is hard to
find a man will hard for a salary he
would his profit Furthermore the utmost care
necessary in accounting and auditing. Remarkably
efficient systems been developed. In certain line
stores, daily reports required from the
showing total sales sales by departments
Cash deposited in local bank and the certh-
cate of deposit mailed the central office In addition
to this weekly statements from the statesmen. This
service is check daily reports Inventories
taken month and the reports of stock on hand
are further check the operations of each store
systematic and scientific of doing business
is carried every operation. When store Is
to be opened an estimate is made of the amount OF
business should obtain, based the number OF
passers-by and the kind of people that they are In
order to make good, local must at least
come up estimate mis- first year. standard Is
set for every salesman well store. The
employe knows If sell goods he Will make
money and that advancement does not depend upon
the personal opinion immediate superior In addi-
tion stores give many prizes and bonuses en-
courage managers to take stock In the concern
and in every other way foster personal in
terest
The recent tendency In the chain store system
ia the consolidation larger chains showing that
the tendency is constantly toward stronger and
extensive organizations. One chain OF hveand-tencent
stores recently another great cigar chain
has ACQUIRED controlling interest in chain of drug,
stores and there of other large con-
solicitations American people should realize that
Big Business his definitely invaded the retail field