The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1921-12-31
RECOVERY OF RETAIL TRADE


The prospect in retail trade for 1922,
as defined by representative members
of. the National Retail Dry Goods AS
ISOLATION doing business in the larger
cities Of the United States and in many
of the smaller centers. is for a twelve
month somewhat better, on the whole,
than 1921. Recovery promises to be
gradual with very large sales volume
expected from the early fan until the
close Of the year.
This suspicious outlook is not held
however through the South where the
uncestain future of cotton creates ex-
treme conservatism. while the South
west hopes for a prosperous year only
through large crops or higher crop
prices.
Practically all agree in anticipating
more stable business conditions, with
prices little changed. Retail lmerehants
have taken, during 1921, the smallest
net profits on which they can do bust
ness. Any decline in prices must orig
mate with manufacturer, whose reduc-
tions the retailer can pass on to the
consumer. The opinion is that the
other factor capable of bringing about
reduction OF commodity prices is low
cred freight rates.
Sectional report on business condi-
tons:
New England: New England antici-
pates general Improvement as unem-
ployment in local industries decreases.
Merchants would welcome lower prices
but as a rule are expecting a stiffen-
ing of prices with slight drop in GER
tain lines. with prices maintained on
standard, advertised brands Of mer-
chandise.
Middle Atlantic States: Retailers
generally look forward 10 a gradual
Improvement for next year, with a de-
cided turn in business late next Sum
mer and very great activity for fall
with the end of the retrenchment pc
riod Taey look for a gradual decline
unless the downward trend is checked
by the manufacturers.
Southern States: The South is divid-
ed as to the retail outlook Richmond
and New Orleans are optimistic,
counting on a favorable spring, with
larger sales in the fall, as do also
Louisville Atlanta and Birmingham
The South on the whole expects a de-
cline in prices.
Central States: General improve
ment in retail business is expected in
the Middle West with the exception Of
the city of Cleveland where very slow
recovery is anticipated, depending
largely upon conditions in the steel and
textile industries. Grand Rapids re-
ports great activity in the furniture
factories which augurs well for confi-
dence in a general business revival
throughout the country. The feeling is
that prices are gradually being stabil-
lied. The close Of 1922 should see
prices somewhat lower than they are
today. i
The West In the West 1922 looks IA
vorable but the first few months are
expected to be slow, with improve
ment toward the end of the spring Re
duction of freight rates is considered an
important factor in the west, where the
belief is that lower transportation
charges will stimulate manufacturing
and buying.
Pacific Coast: The Pacific Coast ex-
poets exceptional business in the fall Of
1922, basing its confidence on hope OF
large crops and on the belief that I'M
employment will then have been elm
mated. Washington and Oregon an
ticipate light spring and summer trade
because OF inactivity in mining and of
low prices of agricultural products
Heavy demand for lumber in Washing
ton and renewal of agricultural
products. Heavy demand for lumber in
and renewal Of mining OPP
erations are expected on the north
coast. Stores reporting from these sec
lions look for gradual decline of
prices as wages and freight rates are
adjusted.