Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1927-01-02
RADIO TRADE HELD
PROSPERITY INDEX
Increase in Volume of Bust
ness Is Noted Despite Drop
in Number of Sets Sold.

One index to American economic
progress during 1926 is the ownership
of more radio sets, among other
things. Herbert Hoover cites radio
along with more homes. more automo-
biles, more savings and more life in
surance, as indicating the increased
prosperity of the country during the
year.
The Department of Commerce has
estimated there are 100000 radio re-
ceivers in the United States. but this
figure Is undoubtedly conservative.
That the number of owners is increas.
ing fast is patent. 1t is apparent from
trade returns: also, that the foreign,
as we'll as the domestic market is
widening apace.
A trade magazine states that the
1926 total of sets sold was 1,750. 900.
This is said to be 250.000 fewer than
in 1925. But the volume of business.
1t is explained, was considerably high.
err In 1926, because models cost more
on account of improvements and re-
f1nements.
Volume is S55S, 08O, 900.
The periodical estimates the total
volume of business during the year at
$55S, 900 900, as compared with $780,
100000 during the preceding year.
This includes the sale of parts and
accessories, as well as sets. The sale
of complete sets increased in value
from $165, 000, 900 in 1925 to 100000
600 in 1925. even though the aggre-
gate number of sets was less, accord
ing to the trade magazine.
The figures are tentative, for re-
turns on the holiday trade, which be-
gan in November, are not yet avail
able. Another journal estimates that
up to November l the radio industry
did a $3.50 100000 business, and ex-
poets the last two months of the year
to increase the total considerably.
Monthly statements on the condi-
ton of the retail trade, issued by the
United States Federal Reserve Board,
support this expectation. The Novem-
Der statement just out shows that
radio and musical instruments, which
are classified together, sold in &c per
cent higher volume last November
than during November. 1925. while
stocks on hand largely placed in an.
ticipation of the Christmas tradeg
were 23.5 per cent larger.
There is regional significance in the
Federal Reserve report, which is
based on sales and stock returns made
II
Reserve districts. Radio and musical
instrument sales. for example, went
up 77.S per cent in the San Francisco
district while they went down 22.1
per cent in the New York district,
comparing the returns for November,
1926, with those for November, 1925.
East Already Supplied.
Coincidentally, 81 per cent de-
cline in stocks on hand was reported
from the New York district, while the
San Francisco district reported an
increase of % per cent.
The wide difference between the
New York and San Francisco rates is
probably due to the fact that so many
persons in the East already have radio
sets, while a recent survey disclosed
the Pacific Coast tagging in that re-
spect. Regional reasons may also be
ascribed to the percentages reported
from other districts.
In the Chicago district, sales went
up 20.5 per cent and stocks increased
Gel per cent; in the Philadelphia dis
trict, sales increased 6.3 per cent, and
stocks increased 48.S per cent; in the
Boston district, sales went down less
than l per cent while stocks increased
20,S per cent; in the Cleveland district
sales increased 1876 per dent and
stocks increased 30.6 per cent; in the
Dallas district, sales increased 81 per
cent and stocks increased 31.9 per
cent.
The comparisons, of course, do not
separate radio from musical instru
ments. It is possible the former have
increased while the latter have de
creased. or vice versa. But the figures
provide an interesting general index
| for an important trade month.