Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-01-01
CHAIN STORE HEADS
EXPECT GOOD YEAR
Leaders Look Forward With
Confidence to Increase
in 1890 Business.

In the combined judgment of the
executive heads of leading chain store
companies throughout the United
States, the coming year presents an en-
couraging prospect. These executives
voiced their views in a symposium pre-
pared by the National Chain Store AS
ISOLATION, Of which their companies are
members.
Many of these leaders point out that
even If a recession should occur in
other industries the chain stores will
continue to progress because they deaI
in the necessities of life and thei,
economies and advantages are more
thoroughly understood by the consumer
than at any time in the past.
Statements Of Executives.
The statements of the executives
follow:
william H. Albers, president Kroeer
Grocery & Baking Co., and president
National Chain Store Association
There is substantial optimism among
chain store merchants regarding both
the present and future. Chain store
companies are as sound as ever in the
history Of this developing industry
Cheaper money and the strong cash DO
sition OF American industry are gen.
orally reassuring. AS a consequence of
all factors the chain store companies
look forward with confidence to con-
tlnued and expanding business during
$780,
R. W. Lyons, executive secretary,
National Chain Store Association: mo
type OF business Is more inherently
stable than that of the merchandising
chains which sell the necessities of life
at low unit cost. Because of their
economical methods of purchase and
scientific processes Of distribution,
which permit the sale of merchandise
at substantial savings to the consuming
public, prosperity is assured in 1890"
George B. Everitt, president Mont
gomery Ward & Co.: an view of exist
ing conditions do not believe that re-
tan sales during at least the first half
OF IS3O VIII come up to some Of the
optimistic forecasts"
George M. Gales, president Louis K.
Liggett Co.: II know of no reason why
business in our industry during the
coming year should not be satisfactory.
while certain sections of the country
may be temporarily affected by recent
overproduction believe that any effect
OF this Will be more than offset by inn
proVementS in other sections as a result
OF activity In other industries. With
a combination of good wages and a
minimum OF unemployment I know of
no reason why the spending power of
the public should be diminished"
See Greater Patronage,
Thomas H. Roulston, president
Inomas Roulston, Inc: "Chain-store
patronage will continue to mount be-
cause the chain Is ever ready to change
merchandising methods and systems of
olstr1oution to meet general conditions
IN the economic development Of our
country. Profits will continue to be
satisfactory, due to larger sales volume
and lower operating expense. The 1929
speculative fever will soon be forgotten
and business for 1880 will be Conducted
along conservative lines"
F. H. Massman, president National
Tea Co.. From food-chain operators
point OF view, the year 1890 looms
prlgnt In prospect as any past 10 years.
Inc advantages Of economical and SAN
itary methods Of food distribution as
offered by well regulated chain stores
are more thoroughly understood by
consumers everywhere than at any time
in the past"
P. H Metzger, president, the WASH
ington Shirt Co.: Concerning the out
look for 1880, we feel that the first
three months will be below normal and
will mean lot Of hard plugging. AS
soon as the Spring business opens up
we will find q gradual picking up Of
business. No doubt we will find that
by that time everything will be ad-
justed by Fall, and at the end Of the
year we will total up the usual years
business"
Charles F.. Adams, treasurer First
National Stores. Inc: 1.-THE large num-
Der of increased outlets which we have
established during the past year should
in 1880 become additional profit produc-
ers and, basing my judgment on past
experience, believe 1t more than likely
that the earnings Of chain food stores
particularly those that are steadily de-
veloping, will show reasonable gains,
as they deal altogether in the neces-
saries of life and other staple mer-
chandise which only an extraordinary
decline in general business could re-
tard"