The Birmingham age-herald., 1921-02-19
MERCHANTS MUST
 ADOPT MODERN
 METHODS
Multiplication Table and Ten Commandments Essential to Sound Business, States
 Speaker at Meeting

"The two principles on which all
 sound businesses are conducted are
 the multiplication table and the Ten
 Commandments. These are the rules
 of the game and We all have to play
 them straight if we are to survive"
 said John A. Green, former president
 of the National Retail Grocers asso-
 citation, in addressing special meet
 ing last night of the Birmingham
 Retail Grocers' and Butchers associa-
 ton at the Civic Association, which
 was attended by a large number of
 wholesale and retail merchants of
 Birmingham.
 was The Retail Grocer of Today and
 the Retail Grocer of Tomorrow cov-
 cred fully all principal phases of sell
 ing and merchandising, and was enthu-
 siastically received.
 Petty jealousies existing among mem
 bers of the retail and wholesale trade, ,s
 said the speaker, have been one of the
 most serious handicaps to the general
 advacement of the business of the coun-
 try, and especially is this so in the retail
 grocery trade.
 INDEPENDENT RETAILER
 "The small independent retailer is dis trustful of his nearby competitor and his Competitor is in turn apprehensive of the merchant who is perhaps a lit
 tie more aggressive in the matter of conducting his business. This condition of affairs works around complete cir< cle to a great extent. resulting in the
 trade generally gaining but slow prog ress. Cooperation among fellow gro-
 cers by way of organization, whereby all meet and in friendly conversation, exchange their business problems, give and receive advice for the general bet terment of the trade, is the one way to overcome this great drawback.
 The retail grocery business has re- solved itself into two separate and dis tinct systems, namely, the cash-and- carry and the old line system, offering special inducements such as credit, de- livery and other special favors. The first system, practiced mainly by the chain store, or organization, has be- come fixture in the business world. The latter system, however will always retain it's proper place in the retail trade, for the reasons of it's credit and delivery Inducements, if for no other. The independent merchant must con form to modern methods if he desires to stay in the race, nevertheless. The first is that of judicious buying. Every in- dependent merchant should buy what he needs, buy no more and take advantage of the discounts. offered. Advertised goods, records will show, have vast advantage over other products in turn over, and sometimes the ratio fo as high as five to one.
 CLEANLINESS IN STORE Cleanliness is another point that cannot be overlooked in the retail food business How often have you visited stores and found general disorder upon entering the door. Boxes, unopened crates, unswept floors, paper and other refuse blocking the way, will absolutely offer the proprietor of the establishment no chance in competition with the store were orderliness is the watchword. Store personality is the independent merchants one best selling point with the public, and it is feature that any l store owern cannot afford to overlook. Develop the friendship of your patrons, 1 impress them with your honesty and integrity, and you will have customers that the chain stores can never tempt with their selling points.
 MT. Green continued at length, going l into other matters of direct interest to lthe retail and wholesale trade, and stressed especially a closer and firmer relationship between the manufacturer, | the jobbers and the retailer.
 In conclusion, MT Green issued a warning to the small merchant to safe guard himself during the present money tension by careful, judicious extension of credit.
 Following Mr. Greens address. Samuel lL. Earle, president of the Wholesale l IGrocers' association of Birmingham, m lresponse to request from President Robert A. Emond of the Retail Grocers' 1 and Butchers association, made short 1 talk, heartily indorsing MT. Greens ad- In addition to a large representation 1 of the Birmingham Retail Grocers' and Butchers association, representatives of ithe leading wholesale and brokeraSe es- 1 Establishments were in attendance.