The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1918-12-21
MAIL ORDER TRADE
CONTINUES ACTIVE
But Merchants Are Waiting
for Price Cuts Before Plac-
ing Big Orders.

Uncertainty concerning future prices
is still retarding wholesale trading, ac-
cording to BrGdStreots. On the other
hand. the mail order houses have been
doing an unprecedented volume OF bust
ness. This is due In a great measure TO
holiday buying. which. as a matter OF
course. has made the retail trade active
during the past week. At the same time
1t Is pointed out that manufacturers are
reducing prices to hasten the process of
readjustment and to create a market for
their goods, Bradstreets says:
Animation flowing from holiday buy.
ing sharply contrasts with the slow
movements evidenced in tho wholesale
lines. with the effects OF cancellations.
with downward revsions OF some prices
and with uncertainty created either by
the divergent views as to the future ex-
pressed by prominent personages or BY
concern over the fact that the Govern
ment has large supplies Of unused mate
rails to market.
'Inventorying 10 under way. travelling
statesmen are In for tho holidays small
lot filling orders conveyed by mail are
the rule, and in cases where unexpect-
edly large stocks have been revealed, the
policy IS to clear decks. In fact the
general attitude as TO manufactured
goods Is to reduce prices IN order TO
hasten readjustments and make a mar
ket.
THE Government continues TO cancel
contracts for various materials, the plan
being to pursue what might be termed
a bit by bit policy in order to eliminate
M yxriN
breaking too sharply. and this method
seems to exert a reassurlng influence
upon most interested lines.
In point OF activity. the mail order
trade stands In the forefront, the re-
appearance Of influenza having deferred
rural consumers from visiting the larger
cities, and in consequence OF the demand
put upon mall order concerns, az we'll
as because of forwarding OF Christmas
gifts, the parcel post system Is virtually
swamped. On the other hand, mild
weather has repreS>ed retail trade in
ordinary lines, and at the same time
there is considerable waiting on the part
Of consumers for January sales. when
it is expected relative bargains may be
available. Buying OF holiday gifts Is
heavy, and though some sections register
complaints the South and Northwest
emphasize the fact that buying Of high
grade articles is conspicuous, the South
also making the point that purchases
largely are for cash.
DWu's ReuieU says
with the approaching holidays and
annual accounting. new business re-
fleets especial activity only in retail
channels, Yet economic changes are
each week occurring which foreshadow
an ultimate general expansion OF do
mestic and foreign commerce, and the
now yielding prices. II intensifying the
present hesitation, cannot be viewed as
other than constructive in their bear
Ing on the future. The reaction from
the extreme levels. inevitable with the
wars ending has alrady gone some
distance in such important commodities
as textiles and steel and iron, and that
the readjustmentS will become more
widespread with the return OF open
markets and the full play Of competitive
factors, is nearly everywhere regarded
as certain. With this expectation in
mind, buyers have not FASTENED to
operate extensively at the first sign OF
price concessions. but are mainly pur-
chasing only for imperative needs and in
not few instances have requested the
cancellation OF orders placed at higher
figures.
Through this condition, and with the
slackening or stoppage OF Government
work, the principal manufacturing in
dustries are now running under reduced
pressure, and complaint Of labor short
age Is no longer the dominant note IN
reports from the leading centres. Cen
orally the larger private interests, al
though displaying a gratifying measure
OF confidence. are maintaining n conser-
vative and prudent policy, and are
awaiting 4 clearer insight into the
future before putting into effect the
plans that are being formulated for tho
resumption OF activities on a normal
basis.