Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1933-12-01
RETAIL TRADE LAGS
AFTER RAPID RISE
Demand Somewhat Slower.
P. W. A. Projects Help
to Offset Trend.
BY JOHN A. CRONE.

DIX JOhN IA SUONCs
Special Dispatch to The Star.
NEW YORK, December Retail
trade, which has been the bright spot
In the general business picture in re-
cent weeks. was somewhat slower this
week.
Perhaps this was q result Of the
Thanksgiving holiday or some slacken-
ing of commercial and industrial oper-
atoms. At any rate it Is notable that
in nearly every center where retail trade
gained during the week, the result was
directly attributed to the pushing Of
the Civil Works Administration in that
locality.
National chain stores with head +.
quarters here reported satisfaction with
November trade, which generally showed
substantial increases over the same
month year ago. In every instance.
however, the chains declared that the
best gains this month came in the first
half
Retail and wholesale food prices
during the week were lower. This was
noticed in holiday goods, such Is meats
and poultry, and some Of the special
ties. though average fruits and vege-
tables, thanks to the seasonal weather
in most sections were somewhat higher
than in the preceding week or the same
holiday week year ago.
Holiday Orders Heavy.
There was a good volume of (whole-
sale) business booked in Thanksgiving
and holiday dried fruit lines. such as
raisins. imported and domestic figs,
dates, citron and other peels," Dun q
BradStreet. Inc, report in their ma
tional weekly survey of business. Dried
apricots have moved out Of the hands
Of grocers entirely and heavy exports
to Europe In recent weeks have brought
about decided f1rming up in prices
with some advances recorded in the top
grades. Peaches and pears, however,
have eased somewhat from their recent
positions Owing to the unfavorable
exchange situation, with the resultant
higher prices. importers have been ex-
tremelv cautious in their purchases
abroad, and a scarcity of some goods
exists.
Holiday items are active in the
canned goods division. but most prices
are somewhat lower than they were q
few weeks ago, although no further re-
cessions are anticipated. On the new
pack of grapefruit. prices are we'll main
tanned. Prices of imported goods, such
as crabmeat and tuna fish. have moved
higher with the decline Of the dollar.
Stocks of vegetables in the hands of
distributors are relatively light and I'M
sold goods are considerably below those
of a year ago. Unsatisfactory condi-
tions still prevail In the wholesale fish
trade, but a larger demand is expected
from hotels. clubs and restaurants fol-
lowing repeal"
Speaking Of repeal, orders continue to
pile in to glass manufacturers, espe-
cially for liquor glasses. Demand for
ordinary water goblets also has in
creased. Locally, many stores refuse to
make any promises of nearby deliveries
if the article sought is not then in stock.
Some mems furnishing departments
complain that they are being passed up
in holiday shopping this year for re.
peal wares.
Apparel Trends Mixed.
Wearing apparel this week displayed
about as mixed trends as one could
imagine. Coats barely moved Dinner
and evening gowns and sweaters were
snapped up. Fur garments moved well.
Cruise clothing and mems evening
usual Thanksgiving supplies, linens, sill
verware, glassware and kitchen utensils
were in active demand, as were lamps
and electrical supplies, but furniture
slackened and Oriental rugs turned slug
gish.
Wholesale buying generally has been
reduced. Some flll-in gift orders are
being received, but Spring bookings have
been delayed. Aside from the West and
South. dry goods markets assert that
shipments are going out much quicker
than new orders are received. Mems
wooden wear is selling better than wom-
ems items
Commercial failures during the week
were higher. Steel output was little
changed. Electric output recorded its
thirtieth weekly successive gain. Car
loadings for the twenty-ninth successive
time improved over those of year ago.
Lumber and bituminous coal were better
than either last week or a year ago,
the former reaching its highest orders
since october, 1880.
tCopyrisht. 1887