Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-08-22
Business Notes

NEW YORK, August 22.-Aside from
increased inquiries this month for such
stones as star sauphires, fine rubies and
emeralds, there has been little definite
Improvement in the fine jewelry trade,
trade circles in New York report. Re-
tan volume In leading cities thus far
this year Is running some IS per cent
under 1880, which IN turn showed a
marked drop in comparison with the
preceding year. Retail stocks were said
TO be the lowest in more than Is years,
with the staple end of the business.
such as wedding, birthday and similar
gift items, being the mainstay.
Fears that the Empress Eugene
mode in millinery will be hurt by the
quick introduction of the new styles
IN cheap hats were expressed in the
trade in New York. Reports had il
that within day or two Eugene mod
els to sell at 50 will be shown at re-
tail. 1t was felt that this will have
measurable effect on the high-price
Eugenie hats and that the mode in
general will have considerably short
er life than has been expected.
Concluding three weeks observation
and inquiry as to probable Fall trends
IN hollow ware, manufacturers report
they are convinced that sterling silver
VIII outrank silver plate or combina-
tons of pewter and copper in popular
appeal during the coming season Can
dlestickS, cases, bonbon plates, sugars
and creamers and similar articles, if
held to IS retail price, will be ordered
in quantity, buyers promised.
Fashion developments at the Paris
openings curbed Fall buying to some ex-
tent in the New York wholesale apparel
markets last week, although the volume
OF orders reached fair proportions The
openings have confirmed the Importance
OF many earlier fashions, but several
couturiers have emphasized new colors,
including wines and browns Coat
buying opened up in an active manner
during the week, with special interest
shown in fur-lined types at popular
prices. Reports from retailers regard
ing August sales are conflicting.
Announcement of new low prices of
pink and chum salmon caused such a
stir In the canned foods market in New
York last week that there was hest
fancy about ordering them from the
Coast at the prices asked Instead buy
ers sought to pick up consigned stocks
in New York. The movement of Cali
fornia fruits is reported to be merely
routine
Dry goods jobbers are exercising
even greater caution in their current
purchases, as result of the uncer-
tainty over prices existing in the cot
ton goods trade following the steady
recession in raw material during the
last few weeks, wholesalers indicate.
Very few orders beyond September
deliveries are being placed, with job
bers stating that they are marking
time until some price readjustments,
which they feel are necessary, are put
into effect.
An encouraging gain in dress orders
is nov developing, which. producers be-
heve, marks turn for the better in
Fall purchasing. The improvement
follows three-week period in which
buying fell materially below expecta-
tons, owing to the threat of radical
style changes at the Paris openings.
The volume of business being placed
in better grade dresses, however, is still
substantially smaller than manufac-
turers would like to see.
All branches of the lamp trade. from
low-end TO higher price merchandise,
felt the effects Of an increase in buying
in New York this week. Stores re-
porting stocks at a record low point
for this time Of year. purchased new
goods for immediate delivery In the
better price branch of the trade, orders
more than doubled in the past 10 days
sales agents said.
One Of the recent developments in
the women's hosiery trade for Fall to
which selling agents called attention
Is the strong demand for seamless
numbers of rayon, wool and cotton.
substantial orders for which are being
placed by chains and jobbers. These
styles are priced to retail at around
90 cents and, from current indica-
tons, are pointed for good season.