The Connecticut labor news., 1923-07-06
Hours Shops Are Open
 Makes No Difference rom Customers
 Standpoint, $ h e I'll Shop Anyhow. .

Shop AnyhOW.
 ? A statement issued by the Con- sumers' League of Connecticut SUD- ports the Saturday half-holiday cam paign of the Progressive Merchants Association of Hartford, recalling the history of similar campaigns dat ing since IoI6. The statement dis that being trade, to store-courtesy price and stock carried. It is de- clared that the hours at which a store is open has little to do with the vol tune of business transacted and that little, if anything, will be lost by giv- ing employees a half-holiday during the summer months.
 The statement follows:
 The Consumers League Is natur- ally interested in the Saturday half holiday contest of the Progressive Merchants Association of Hartford. Their campaign recalls one made by the Consumers League in 1916, when over 50 signatures were secured of merchants who favored the proposi- ton. Today, 84 merchants belong to the association, and some others ia vor the proposition who are not will ing to commit themselves to 1t unless their competitors do the same. The proposition grows steadily in favor even if slowly, and 1t seems only a question of time when Saturday clos ing will become universal.
 The department stores control the situation. When they all close, the shopping district will be deserted Saturday afternoons as 1t IS on Sun days. One wonders what would hap pen of two or three of them should join forces with the other 84 stores and close Saturday afternoons in July and August, or possibly just August. If they were sure of public support, they might be willing to try it. It is doubtful if they would lose much, if anything.
 As a purchaser doing practically all of my shopping in Hartford, 1 may venture some remarks. The patron age of a store does not seem to de- pend upon the hours when 1t Is open Women buy where they do mainly for three reasons which may be mention ed in the order of their significance: First they buy where they can get what they want; second, they buy where prices are best; third, they buy where they receive the most courtesy and consideration.
 The store that offers these three inducements to customers will draw the largest patronage.
 To enlarge little: purchasers wish not only an article that is good for the money, but in most cases are looking for what p1eases their taste as well. The store that patronizes factories that are not progressive in styles and designs or whose buyers do not know how to cater to the taste of women patrons, loses. Again, the store that carries large assort- ment particularly of sizes wins out in the long run. It may be risk to carry all sizes of shoes, gloves, gowns hats, etc, for the little women and the big, but, let this slogan once find what I want there," and cus- toners will pass by other stores to go there It is. however. of little use to carry the largest assortment in the city of given article pro- vided some other store has more desirable and attractive selection, or a salesgirl who knows how to show it off better. Here is where the buy CT counts. People intend to buy what they wish and they know pretty well where to get it. Because their favorite store is closed Saturday afternoon they will take the risk of going to some other store just be- cause it is open? Not often.
 Some people consider prices; even a few cents makes a difference Who patronizes bargain sales? Of course, the women who must save the pen nies, and those who love a bargain l and buy thing because 1t is cheap. l Just here is where prices and the Sat urday half-holiday come together. l So stores in other cities that close l half day or all day on Saturdays l make Friday bargain day with ex- cellent results.
 Shopping may be a pastime for some, but for far more it is merely that has to be done, and s often an exhausting experience for with small children with hem. Nothing in the world can make t so attractive as polite, attentive md interested salesgirl or gentle manly floor superintendent There Ire many cordial friendships between and salesgirls. If 1t comes o be said of store, "They are al ways so nice there" that store Is