San Antonio light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1911-1993, 1923-01-01
SHOE TRADE
IMPROVES IN
PAST YEAR
Steady Gain Toward Normal
Conditions Noted During
Season Just Closed.
SITUATION Is HEALTHY
New Year Indicates Better
Grades Of Footwear Will
Be in Demand.
SITUATION Is HEALTHY
By JAMES II. STONE.

President and Editor The Shoe Retailer
The beginning of the year witnessed
a deadlock between the manufacturing
and the retail interests in the shoe
trade. The manufacturers had their
selling staffs on the road from Septem-
Der to the first of the year working
for the usual advance spring orders,
but the retailers had steadily refused
to commit themselves far into the fu-
ture and were playing the hand-to-
mouth method of placing orders. In
January, however, a large volume of
orders was placed, and since that time
the factories have struggled along on
orders for immediate delivery.
This has presented many difficulties
for the manufacturer in getting his
supplies and holding his organization
together, and has caused more or less
Nermittent production, which is never
satisfactory condition of economical
operation. There is now a slight land
1 hope growingl tendency on the
part of retail merchants to have some
confidence in the future and a greater
willingness to assist the manufacturer
by placing advance orders in greater
volume and allowing more time for the
execution of them.
Seeking Lower Costs.
In spots there has been a reduction
of an average of 10 per cent cost in
the direct cost of shoe labor, accom-
panied by the usual labor resistance
and resultant strikes. The manufac-
turing branch has effected some econ
omies in overhead that are evident in a
gradual lowering of shoe costs. These
economies have been partly offset in
the past 60 days by an Increase in the
cost of upper and sole leather. due to
a rise in the price of raw materials
TO the tanner. Hides and skins have
reacted from a too low price in 1920
and 1921, and now seem to be work
ing in accordance with the natural law
of supply and demand.
Shoe prices can be said to be stabil-
lied for the present and for some time
to come. Any further changes will be
slight fluctuations based strictly on
supply and demand. The tanner is
working as close to his orders as is
the shoe manufacturer and any sud
den demand for shoes puts the manu-
facturer in the position of bidding up
the price of the small available sup
ply Of wanted leather on hand, which
is not large. Thus, as at present. we
are as likely to see slight advances as
slight reductions in shoe prices.
General Situation Healthy.
The general situation in all branches
is a healthy one in the sense that
stocks are all we'll in hand and there
is a universal determination to avoid
any semblance of speculation creeping
into the industry. The retail mer-
chant is buying frequently and close
10 his needs, the manufacturer is buy
ing his materials against orders, and
the tanner, in turn, is buying raw
materials only about as fast as he sells
his stock on hand. All are alive TO
the necessity of price stability and
none wants to see prices rise unduly.
In the retail branch of shoe distri-
button, as in all other lines, there is
evident a return on the part of the pub
lie to buying better grades Of footwear.
The stores selling high grade lines will
close the year with relatively larger
amount in business. The shoe indus
try has suffered from oyerproduction on
the cheaper and medium grades and
large part of this product finds its way
into bargain Easements" so called, and
in acut price" stores. As result the
stores selling the medium grades have
had a year Of severe competition.
Prospects for 1923.
The prospects for 1923 can be
viewed with optimism. Fundamental
~. the industry is oyerexpanded in
the manufacturing branch. Old fac
tories have in recent years enlarged
their capacity and many new facto-
ries have sprung up. Export orders
are still negligible as factor in TAX
ing M the slack in surplus produc-
t;on and hence the outlet is confined
f0 0Ilr nome NOL4HtNA
tion. therefore. will be keen and on
Iow-price basis. There will be
premium on ability TO merchandise
in the factory line of footwear that
win create a place for Itself with the
least resistance. and ability to organize
for the quick delivery of orders. The
eouation of personal elations between
bnyer and seller will be more important
than ever before, and sitting down and
talking over ihe mutual heed for close
co-operation will get far better results
thar calling each other harG names.
Only a little easing up in the matter
Of anticipation of needs on the part of
the retail merchant viii assist the man
ufacturer to function satisfactorily and
enable him to serve his customers
promptly. -
In the women's branch during 1922
there have been two important activities
in Numerically opposed types of styles.
The resnlar low-heeled welt walking
shoe had a distinct falling off in pop
MARTY and @style" shoes, madl by the
turn process in fancy strap and tongue
patferns. have been the active busi-
ness getters during the last half Of the
wear, and at this time these types win