Evening star., 1922-01-02
OUTLOOK IS GOOD
FOR RETAIL TRADE
Forecast Says Recovery Will
:. Be Gradual, But
Firm.

Better conditions in the retail trade
loom up with the coming of 1929. with
the Expectation that recovery will be
gradual, but firm, according to state
ment issued by the National Retail
DryGoods Association. The statement
says:
The prospect in retail trade for
1929 as defined. by representative
members of the National Retail Dry
Goods Association doing business In
the larger cities of the United states
and-in many of the smaller centers,
is for twelve-month somewhat bet
ter. :pn the whole. than 1921. Recovery
promises to be gradual with very
large sales volume expected from the
early fall until the close of the year.
This auspicious outlook is not held,
however, throughout the south, where
the uncertain future of cotton creates
extrnme conservatism, while the
southwest hopes for prosperous year
only through large crops OF higher
croR prices.
Practically all agree in anticipating
more stable business conditions. with
prices little changed. Retail mer-
charts haYe taken, during 1921, the
smallest net profits on which they can
do business. Any decline in prices
must originate with manufacturer
whose reductions the retailer can pass
on 10 the consumer. The opinion is
thatShe other factor capable of bring
ing bout reduction of commodity
prlcss Is lowered freight rates.
Report by Sections.
Sectional report on business condi-
tions:
New England-New Englnad antici-
pates general improvement as unem-
ployment in local industries decreases
Merchants would welcome lower
prioHs, but as rule are expecting a
stifsning of prices with a slight drop
In certain lines. with prices maintain
merchandise.
Middle Atlantic states-Retailers
generally look forward to a gradual
improvement for next year, with a
deciaed turn in business late next
summer and very great activity for
fall with the end of the retrenchment
$ period. They look for a gradual de-
cline unless the downward trend is
checked by the manufacturers.
Southern states-The south is di-
vfded as to the retail outlook Rich
mond and New Orleans are optimistic,
counting on favorable spring with
larger sales in the fall. as do also
Louisville. Atlanta and Birmingham.
decline in prices.
Central states-General improve
ment in retail business is expected
in the middle west with the excep-
tlOn or tne city OF Cleveland, where
very slow recovery is anticipated. de-
pending largely upon conditions in
the steel and textile industries
Grand Rapids reports great activity
in the furniture factories which
augurs well for con .dence in a gen.
eraI business revival throughout the
country. The feeling is that prices
are gradually being stabilized The
close of 1922 should see prices some-
what lower than thew are todav.
The west-In the west 1922 looks
favorable, but the first few months
are expected to be slew. with i'm
proxement toward the end of the
spring. Reduction 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-Exceptional busi-
ness in the fall of 1922, basing con-
fidence on hope of large crops and
In belief that unemployment will
then, have been eliminated. Washing
ton and Oregon anticipate light
spring and summer trade because of
inactivity in mining and of low prices
of Agricultural products. Heavy de-
mand for lumber in Washington and
renewal of mining operations are ex-
pected on the north coast"