Evening star., 1922-10-26
HEAVY CHRISTMAS
TRADE PREDICTED.
Strong Buying Reported
Fro mall Over Sountry.
Goods in Most Demand.
BY J. c. ROYLE.
Special Dispatch to The Star.

Special Dispatch to The Star.
NEW YORK, October 26.-Its go
ing to be a big Christmas for manu-
facturer, wholesaler. retailer and
buyer. If 1t is not, the best informed
merchants In the United States are
woefully fooled. Dealers are planning
for the biggest holiday business since
the boom days right after the war
and this preparatory wholesale buy
ing already has reached tremendous
volume in practically every section
OF the country.
1t 10 an established fact that the
Christmas shopper buys most readily
articles most prominently displayed
and stressed by merchants. provided
those articles come within the range
of buyer demand. On this basis re-
ports from widely separated sections
received by telegraph today make 1t
possible to determine with consid-
cradle accuracy just about what kind
OF articles the individual members OF
nearly every community will give
and receive December 25
Useful Articles Favored.
The trend undoubtedly is toward
the articles of utility rather than
does not mean. however. that such
articles are confined to the medium
or low price range. The demand for
cipated. Clothing and articles of ap-
parel undoubtedly will be stressed
by merchants above other goods. while
1t Is anticipated that jewelry will not
equal the volume of sales Of the boom
years.
In New England emphasis will be
placed on useful gifts of moderate
cost. This has been the tendency
there for the last two years and no
change is expected this season ac-
cording to word from Boston. This
Is attributed to the long continued
been reflected in a large aggregate
loss of purchasing power. Furs. how
ever, are expected to be a decided
feature of Christmas buying.
Call for HiEh-Pficed Goods.
Chicago. however. reports that or
ders for higher-priced goods. espe-
cially In the dry-goods field. are
strengthening throughout the mid
die west. Wearing apparel will form
the feature of the main displays of
the larger stores with emphasis on
silk lingerie and furs. All kinds of
furs are sought, including the most
expensive grades. Demand for jew
eIry is below the 1921 holiday sea-
son, but leather goods, especially
travelling bags and shoes. are in
strong position. Silk goods are be-
ing more widely stocked than in re-
cent years.
E'urs, pianos. fancy furniture. talk
ing machines. radio sets and apparel
are the leaders in the south, which
al ha 70 let hf,Iy
ing. In jewelTy the best sales are
confined to artificial ivory and pearls
and silver mesh bags Perfumes. toi-
let articles and high priced standard
brands OF cigars range in popularity
in the order named. Jobbers are
swamped with orders for inexpensive
toys and dolls.
Higher-priced goods than last year
are in demand throughout the west
Household furniture and ornaments
take prominent place in that section.
Furs. silks and the best grades of
clothing are in strongest demand. and
musical instruments also are featured
In the preliminary orders.
Autos to Be Among Gifts.
In the midatlantic states the trend
is plainly toward useful articles. with
jewelry buying confined largely to mod
erate-priced goods. In every section
there is distinct indication that au-
tomobiles. especially closed car models.
will form part Of the Christmas giv-
the inclination plainly is toward play
things that go" although the sale Of
dolls. mechanical and otherwise, will
be fully UP to former years. German
products will hold a prominent place
on toy counters. and large shipments Of
nearly every steamer which. reaches
this port.