Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-02-01
MERCHANTS BUYING
GOODS FOR EASTER
Retailers Begin Stocking Up
for Pre-HoIiday Trade.
Orders Numerous.
BY ]. C. ROYLE.

Wholesale buying for Eastei is get
ting into full swing. The Easlsr holi-
day, which is the second mo- potent
purchasing factor in retail tfade COM
ing close behind the Christmas demand,
comes two weeks earlier this year than
in 1880. The big distributing centers
are rapidly filling up with buyers who
are placing orders for their early Spring
requirements. These orders are not of
extraordinary proportions, but they are
decidedly numerous.
Naturally the larger part of these
orders are in the clothing and dry goods
fields. Many of the orders are for wom-
ems ready-to-wear garments, and the
trend in Spring coats undoubtedly is
upward. The Paris Showings had a
heartening effect on the cotton textile
manufacturers, since cotton dresses
were given prominent place in many
exhibits. In fact, the style trends are
deemed favorable to the textile pro-
ducers.
Activity in Silk.
The activity in silk is plainly shown
by the recent activity in the raw-sill1
market The dress goods activity has
done little to aid raw cotton in view of
the huge stocks available and the un-
certainty as to the extent to which
growers will restrict 1881 paintings.
Mems clothing is more active in the
cutting up trades, and the mems and
boys furnishings are selling well, es-
pecially shirts. Cuts in tire prices have
not produced enough activity to affect
raw rubber.
Wheat is lethargic but despite neces-
sity for reduced acreage some Govern
ment and State agencies are still sound
ing the slogan back to the SOIL" A
new factor was introduced by the an
nouncement that one of the big packers
is on the verge of putting out a COM
plete line of canned fruits and vege-
tables. This will serve to bring the
farmers in closer touch with the can
nerS and distributors than they ever
have been before, and will probably
mean changes in distribution tactics.
The steel industry is gradually STEP
ping up production, and is placing more
emphasis on the sales efforts within
this country than to capturing foreign
business. The automobile shows being
held in various sections of the country
are having stimulating effect on sales,
and the manufacturing centers are still
slowly increasing their working forces,
their outputs and their advertising ex-
penditures. The comparatively open
character of the Winter has served to
keep automobile travel at high level
and to sustain the demand for gasoline.
The petroleum industry, however, Is
still arguing within its own ranks as to
how to hold down production and MAIN
tain prices.
Lumber Orders.
The building material men are gradu-
ally getting themselves into adequate
shape to take full advantage of the sea-
sonal demand which will be expected
in comparatively short time. Ship
ments and new orders are well above
production among the lumber mills.
The cement plants are holding down
production below consumption, although
heavy stocks still remain to be alb
sorbed. 1t is expected that sand and
gravel sold in 1881 will approximate
500 900, 900 in value.
The retail sales of shoes in the last
fortnight have been heavy, but this has
been due largely to the bargain sales
which have come to be a feature of the
trade. However, the manufacturers are
IN good position, and are preparing to
increase output in anticipation of the
Spring demand. The situation in hides
and leather favors them.
(ConvrfRht 1921