Great Falls tribune. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1921-current, 1922-07-02

Wellesley Hills, July LIN an in
terview Saturday, Roger W. Babson
appealed to merchants to study the
self help" stores. He believes that
the small merchant has great oppor-
tunity II he will only adopt modern
methods and advertise more. He In
sists that the public does not demand
the chain stores, but rather demands
economical and convenient service.
People buy from the chain stores be-
cause that is the only place in their
community that they can get such SER
vice, he stated.
mendous run today" he said. 'They
are springing up like weeds in every
community. Local merchants are be-
ginning to become panic stricken.
Grocers, druggists and clothing dealers
are especially troubled. Considering
the tremendous number of small mer-
chants this is a problem in which
everyone should be interested. There
are for instance over 100000 indepen-
dent grocers in this country. To have
their business wiped out would result
In a tremendous economic appeal. All
together there are over 100000 small
merchants in America who are vitality
interested in this problem. as they will
be wiped out if the chain store proves
to be the legitimate method Of mer-
chandising.
Personally, / feel that this change
is due to the fact that the chain store
comes nearer to giving the public what
1t wants and prospers for that reason.
Ii the local merchants will adopt the
same up-to-date methods Of economic
al merchandising he need have nothing
to fear from chain store competition.
These newer and especially these self
help establishments are doing q splen-
did business because their plan is prac-
teal and because they are being
operated by young men with initiative
and enthusiasm.
The railroads did a fine business
when they were 80 operated. 20 or 30
years ago. Chain stores. however. will
nave their troubles just as the rail-
roads have had theirs. Clerks, truck
and buyers will some day be
organized and as saucy and indepen-
dent as the typical plumber is today.
Then the chain store sales will drop
Off and operating expenses will in
crease and they will have to adopt a
more modern form Of merchandising or
give way to a new order. The self
help system eliminates labor difficult |
ty to a considerable extent and pre-
sents q most interesting study both as
TO service and to cost.
II appeal particularly to merchants
Of the older school and urge them to
very carefully these self help'l
stores, and their service. 1t is true
hat the average merchant cannot get
me advantage of collective buying un-
ess he himself joins a chain. ANY
merchant, however, can install a self
leip' system of selling independently.
II course, this means more than re-
organizing the fixtures Of his store.
He must change his entire attitude.
The self help stores. for instance. are
'ery dependent upon advertising, much
more SO than are the chain stores and
ocal merchants. The latter must adj
'ertise more than ever if he is to
ldopt the self help system. am
lot a merchant, merely a statistician,
however. clearly indicate
hat if the local merchant continues
IS at present he will be eliminated
American industry to make way
or more modern machinery of distri-
Iution.
IN regard to chain store s~ecuri-
les. Most of these merchandising
ompanies should do well for the next
years. Mail order concerns will
lso prosper. but l predict that even