Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-12-26
LOCAL HOLIDAY TRADE
BEST IN C|TY's HISTORY
Retail Merchants Report Record
breaking Sales This
Season..
MOST BUYING is FOR CASH
Small Shops Share Equally With
Larger Stores in Dividing Pros
Observation-Disclosures Dealers Also
Feel Effects OF Brisk Business.

For volume and quality OF goods
sold. the holiday season just closed
will stand out AS one Of the most sue
ccssful in the history OF the local re-
tail trade. surprising by a substantial
figure that Of 1916, which was 4 banner
year. Leading merchants III practi-
cally all lines OF trade declared yes
tcrday that bushes. had been most
satisfactory" the small shops sharing
equally, In proportion. with the larger
stores in the unprecedented prosperity
OF the people. There was n notice
able tendency ;hs year toward staple
Tor serviceablc goods.
On OF the most striking features OF
the holiday buying. however. WAS the
unusual expenditures by people of mod
crate means. Merchants said that this
class OF customers had increased their
purchases in both quality and guam
tty. and that the greater part Of tho
business was confined 10 this class
The more wealthy curtaiicd their
purchases and expenditures. but this
was more than made UP by the heavy
increase in buying Ivy salaricd people.
Business men commented on this
fact yesterday, explaining that skilled
workmen had earned during the past
year the highest wages III tho history
of tho country. Apparently large
part of the money which had been
saved during the summer and fall
months was turned loose. and for more
than week before Christmas Day the
stores were TANNED with people MAX
ing Unprecedented purchases
CASH BUYING PROVES
RAT1FYISt; FEATURE
Not only were the sales for the year
larger. but III practically every line it
was found that much higher grade OF
goods had been demanded. stores do
ing credit business report that cash
sales have been far greater in proper
ton than ever before. while the adj
United high cost has had no effect on
the shopping public. Everybody
seemed 10 have the money and took
the high prices philosophicany. This
Is attributed TO the fact that work is
plentiful. and that even those earning
salaries arc not held back by the fear
that they will again be job hunters
soon. knowing that their services arc in
great demand.
This year has been the best ever"
said prominent business man. "'rhe
amount Of business done by us
Is the greatest in our history. and the
holiday trade has far surpassed our
expectations. when general conditions
were taken into consideration. The
year has been a remarkable one not
only as 20 volume. but as TO tho dual
i,y of goods sold Patrons of our store
as Wei as others. have demanded
higher class goods They have had
money and did not hesitate to turn il
loose. The cash business has been
highly gratifying"
Clothicrs reported that their bust.
ness had been exceedingly heavy. de-
spite the prevailing high prices. while
inc Je~elry sales were excellent. But
throughout the length OF tho shon.
ming district merchants noticed the
demand for scrviceablc goods, and the
decrease OF purchases of frivolous ar
ticles. Inquiry failed to show :. single
line OF business that had not enioyed
record breakinG season.
BUSINESS BETTER THAN
EVER BEFORE IN CITY
Il and that business has been very
good, said w. 4. Clarke. Jr. serra
tary Of the Retail Merchants Associ,
ZION, and is far ahead OF last year. II
has been not only better than usual
but the best the city has ever had
The cash business has been cyccn
iIonal. for the people have had an ex-
ccpt!onal supply Of cash despite the
Liberty loan sales the Red Cross cam
ion. 4