The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1921-11-03
RETAIL STORES GENERALLY .
REPORT BETTER BUSINESS
Clothing Dealers Say Sales Increasing Hard.
ware Lines Quiet.


below telegraphic answers, from
group of retail clothing. grocery
and hardware firms from several
sections of the United States in re-
Spouse to a list of six specific ques-
lions sent them.
This group of answers follows
the three instruments of answers
from bankers to a similar list of
questions published in the WASH
ington Herald. The opinions of
other trade groups, both wholesale
and retail, were on following days
and will be continued.
The six questions were:
1. Do you anticipate pronounced
improvement in business this year?
2. II not. what kind of business
do you anticipate?
3. When do you expect pro-
nounced Improvement.
4. What do you consider the chief
retarding influences?
5. How does the value of your
merchandise on hand October 1
compare in percentage with one
6. How does the physical quantity
of such merchandise compare with
one year ago? With two years
ago.
The answers from the retail
clothing group follow.
NJ. Friedman, President Famous
Clothing Co.. Cleveland, Ohio:
l. Yes. 3. We look for pronunced
NJ
difficulties are adjusted. Railroad
running stock is run down and the
roads must be equipped. We have
full confidence in the present ad-
ministration, which has worked as
fast as possible under circum-
stances. 5. The value of our mer-
chandise on hand shows a decrease
Of IS per cent as compared with two
years ago.
6. The physical quantity of our
merchandise shows an increase of
80 per cent over two years ago and
is about the same as last year. Our
business for the last two months
has increased 100 per cent over the
same period last year, and we are
cutting 200 per cent more than last
year.
e. Fl. Richardson, Vice President
Boyd-Richardson, Inc. ST. Louis,
Mo-;
1. We do not
?. Normal, as it was last fall.
3. In the fall and winter of 1922,
4. Unemployment, reduced wages,
and reduced incomes.
5. Fifty per cent more as a result
of a recent move into much larger
quarters. :
6. About 10 per cent more in
dozens.
Parker-BridEet Co., Washington,
D. C.: -"
Our business is showing a gradual
improvement. but is still easily sus-
septible. to weather conditions and
to attacks by poorly-informed pub
lie speakers.
We look for pronounced improve
mont in business the forepart Of
next year. The prosperity of the
country Is being held back by the
inactivity Of Congress. due to poll
tics. .-......
Throughout our establishment We
show an average decline of IS per
cent in retail prices, as conpared
with a year ago. The quantity of
merchandise, kind for kind, shows
a marked Improvement this year
and greater care in its manufac-
ture.
The Hub-Henry C. Lytton a Sens,
Chicago, ILL.,:
Indications at the opening up OF
fall business show an Improvement
over the past year. However. we
believe this Is due to the SLIGHT
cold spell. 1t would also indicate,
however. better buying by the pub
lie, especially of better merchan-
disc. Therefore. on the whole we
believe the balance Of the fall win
show slight Improvement when
seasonable weather sets in.
As for pronounced business Inn
provement, that depends entirely
upon labor conditions which means
more or less building and invest
ment of capital II there rs no
further adjustment OF the labor sit
uation we cannot see how there can
be any great improvement until the
spring Of 1922. A great deal also
depends upon the outcome of the
disarmament conference and onr