Evening star., 1932-06-05
Merchants Being Helped
To Make Larger Profits
BY HARDEN COLFAX.

Business men-big ana little-are
taking advantage of the offer of the
Government and commercial organiza-
tions to supply them with practical
tips" on how they may make more
money
The campaign inaugurated some
weeks ago by the Domes .ic Commerce
Divisions of the Department of COM
merce in cooperation with private COM
mercial organizations for the sharing of
informal ton on merchandising methods
is now in full swing and gratifying re-
suits are reported to the department.
This campaign consists in making
available to the private merchant, as
well as the larger house the results of
investigations and studies of business
problems by the Federal Government,
extending over years, In addition to what
private research agencies have learned
and individual business men found out
by experience.
More than hundred commercial and
civic organizations Of all sorts in nine
teen States report enthusiastically on
some of the immediate results. Business
men in increasing numbers are con-
sulting information on file with the
local organizations, which act as dis
tributing centerS. This information re-
lates to the newest marketing methods,
summarized and indexed in form to
make 1t of practical use to business
executives. It is supplied by each of the
"a district Offices Of the Department Of
Commerce scattered throughout the
country.
Not only local bodies in small towns,
but chambers of commerce and boards
Of trade in lengthenmg list Of large
cities, including New York, Boston.
Hartford, Providence, Washington, Bir-
mingham, New Orleans, Indianapolis,
Kansas City and Dallas, are calling
upon the department for merchandise
ing information.
The service was arranged in response
to requests of many thousands OF buSi-
ness men, organized industries and
trades 1t was worked out by the Com
merce Department, the United States
Chamber of Commerce and the Ma
tional Association Of Commercial Or
ganization Secretaries. According to
Of the Bureau of Foreign and Domestic
Commerce, who Is In charge Of these
marketing research applications" the
department alone rendered more than
Isl 900 such services during 1881. Its
experience has developed much inten-
sive practical information concerning
marketing costs, store arrangement.
distribution, credit, controlling stocks,
managing delivery service, chain store
methods and many other phases OF dis
tribution, both wholesale and retail
On the basis of this information a
campaign on a large scale Is now being
undertaken in Indianapolis. A group
Of leading sales executives in that city,
according to the manager Of the local
district ONCE Of the Department OF
Commerce, have now combined to pro
mote more widespread practical use Of
marketing research reports In the In
terest Of business improvement" This
group, to be known as the Indianapolis
MARKETING Research Club, will not only
supply the information referred from
the Commerce Department to its clients,
but will conduct research of its own.
The approach to the local business
man is through the broad statement:
I'VE can help you make more money.
This the service proposes to do by an
alyzing the habits of customers and
their buying preferences, as well as by
| telling the merchant how he can SO
conduct his own operations as to dc
the maximum Of business at the mini
mum Of cost.
The local civic and commercial Or.
gsnintions report to the department
! that they ore uslng the service IN
! VARSITY OF Woys, some OF them oa1ec'