Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-03-07
Business Notes

NEW YORK, March T.-Increasing
difficulties in obtaining low-price mer-
chandise for promotion purposes are
being reported by retailers. Distress
stocks have been steadily growing
scarcer since the first of the year, and,
| according to a New York retail execu-
| tive, have not practically reached the
vanishing point He said this was true
| Of almost all lines of merchandise car
| ried in the average department store,
although securing of the markets occa-
| sionally uncovers small lots OF goods at
sacrifice prices.
Consumption of raw silk during Feb
| ruary fell below that of January, but
| was almost 5000 bales larger than in
the corresponding month of 1880, the
silk association reports. The mill tax
| ings last month were 5z,242 bales,
| which compare with $3.50 in January
and 1882 in February a year ago.
A patented type of finish claimed to
make sterling silverware non-tarnish-
able is being introduced In lines of the
International Silver Go. this month, Of
fcials of the company state. The new
finish is being confined for the time
being to the high-price merchandise
because of cost, but company officials
said the treatment can be used success
fully on plated as well as sterling silver.
A slight decline In the volume of
business placed by retail merchants Tor
mems wear during the week was re-
ported by resident offices yesterday.
Fewer buyers were in the city, and the
number Of mail orders dropped some
what. The decline was attributed To
the fact that most retailers are busy
with preparations for Spring showings.
Reports on retail turnover thus far
this month indicate some Improvement.
trade circles in New York say. The
gain In sales, however, is in COMPARE
son with the early part OF February;
and not with the corresponding period
Of 1880. Consumer interest in Spring
merchandise, it was said, is tending to
forge ahead slowly, indicating the
stores in most sections will have to
reckon with considerable sales resist
ance.
Buyers Of cotton goods are beginning
to show more confidence in the mar
kets, according to trade comment and
are placing larger orders for merchan-
disc than in some time. AS an exam
pie, many of the flannel lines have
not been priced for jobbers yet, on the
goods. Several wholesalers. however.
expressed the opinion that they were
ready to operate now If the new lists
were issued.
Floor covering retailers who had
placed early orders for Summer goods,
such as grass and fiber rugs, began
calling for deliveries this week In prep
aration for promotional events next
month. Initial purchases this year,
selling agents said, fell somewhat short
Of those last year. but recorders later in
the season are expected to make up
for the decline.
The mems wear retailers who dis
played their Spring lines during the
week for the first time reported that
there was q mild response to the new
merchandise. retarded somewhat by the
unsatisfactory weather. The stores
which extended their clearance sales
into this week stated that there were
sptIrts of buying on few lines, but that
on the whole consumer response con-
tinued as unsatisfactory as It has been
since khe beginning Of the year..