The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1920-11-27
SLUMP IN PRICES
Kansas Consumers Given Bar
gains in Dry Goods.
Advertised Prices Very Near to
Wholesale.
so SAYS MERCHANTS JOURNAL
Figures From Twenty-Five
Towns Published.
Competitive Conditions Make
Extremely Low Levels.
so SAYS MERCHANTS JOURNAL

(By the Associated Press.1
Consumers in Kansas are, accord
ing to the advertising which is appear
ing in the newspapers of the state,
being given full benefit of the slump
in dry goods prices"
The Merchants Journal, published
here, is authority for this statement
and in proof offers q tabulation of
advertised prices on dry goods staples
thirty-six different stores.
Nearly Same as Wholesale.
The table indicates that the adver-
IL were very near the same as whole
sale prices on those dates For ex-
ample, the wholesale price of ging-
ham is given as 20 to 20 cents yard.
The advertised retail prices on this
item ranged frem IS cents to SO cents
a yard with an average of about "a
cents.
1.-THE towns represented" the Jour-
nal states, ARE the larger towns of the
state, and they are the towns which
set the pace for the merchants in the
smaller towns. The small town mer-
chant can not quote higher prices than
are quoted in these twenty-six towns
and still sell-goods, for competition
is too keen.
Here and there will be found
prices which are. out of line, but fully
as many Of these out-of-lfne prices are
too low as are too high. OF course
it is not always possible to tell on
just what quality of merchandising
the retail price is given. No doubt
some of the fabrics quoted at ex-
tremely low prices. retail, are some
inferior grade, manufactured to sell
at q cut price, and not ordinarily in
cluded in the quotations of the whole
sale houses. However, where the re-
tail stores have advertised a range of
prices on some fabric the table shows
midway will be found the price of
the average staple fabric.
Low Price on Muslin.
att will be observed that some oe
the stores are quoting muslin at ex-
tremely low prices. Generally, where
some ridiculously low price is quoted
on muslin, the store making the price
puts limit on the number of yards
which will be sold to each customer
or says Only yards for sale at
this price These extremely low
prices are therefore generally made on
a leader; the item is deliberately sold
at a loss to attract trade.
Elm some towns, competitive condi-
lions seem to have forced prices down
to extremely low levels. For instance,
two stores in Pittsburg, Kan, are
quoting Pepperell "a sheeting at 40
cents a yard. This is IL cents below
the wholesale price. This is necessarily
q purely local condition"
Comparison in Prices.
A comparison of the wholesale with
the retail prices on items other than
ginghams shows:
Bleached muslin - wholesale price,
1920 cents retail price range, IL " 10
cents: average "a cents.
Unbleached niuslin-wholesale price,
1915 cents; retail price range, 1918
cents; average, Is cents.
Hope muslin-wholesale price, 1871
cents; retail price range, 1922 cents;
average, IS cents.
Outings = wholesale price, 1925
cents; retail price range, 1915 cents;
average. Is cents.
Percales - wholesale price, 1871
cents; retail price range, 1885 cents;
average "a cents.
Sheetings-wholesale price, $500;
cents; retail price range, 1880 cents;
average. "a cents.
Prints-wholesale price. 12k -17h;
retail price range, 1913 cents; average.
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