The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1934-12-05
STORE CHIEFS
DISCLOSE Big
GAIN IN SALES
Conditions 10 to 20 Per Cent
Better Than Last Year,
They Report.

Crowding city department stores
in gaily chattering crowds, Christ
mas shoppers we're active enough
the first five days of December to
improve business conditions from
10 to 20 per cent over those of the
last Yuletide season.
And, this gain, reported today by
merchants, has been made despite
the fact that the full flood Of the
purchasing power of 100000 in
Christmas savings has not been
emptied into store tills as yet. The
checks were mailed out Dec. and
many have not yet been cashed.
when we feel the Christmas
savings money the general improve
ment will be greater" said one mer-
chandiSing manager.
Laud Santa Parade
Many firms declared impetus was
given to the general uptrend in
Christmas business and the city
made conscious of Santa Claus
through The indianapolis Times
Santa Claus parade last Friday.
Toys, staple lines, clothing, and
gifts all are reported bought in
larger quantities this year than in
1893.
Comments on the startling i'm
provement in this years business
tone over 1885 Christmas season
was expressed today by these de-
partment store officials:
Theodore B. Griffith, -pyesi-
dent, L. S. Ayres g. Co.-Business
conditions are better this year than
in 1888. We anticipate greater
volume this Christmas than last
year.
L. A. Murchison, merchandising
manager, H. P. WATSON g. Co.
Conditions are decidedly better in
all departments this Christmas.
The Santa Claus parade of The
Times was a considerable help in
bringing crowds downtown. 1t
made shoppers Christmas con-
scious.
Colonel John Burke, manager,
Sears, Roebuck & Cold say our
business is 10 per cent better at
this time this year than at the same
time last year. Luxury lines and
toys are selling more readily. Our
store had a marked increase, as
much as 40 per cent in some de-
partments, on last Friday when the
| Santa Claus parade was held. We
have felt no reflex from Federal
work relief money.
Business 20 Per Cent Ahead
Philip T. Holzner, merchandising
manager, Kinks Cloak House-Our
business is 20 per cent ahead of last
year. The increase is manifest in
furs and coats with gifts in general
up approximately 10 per cent. 1t
is little early for us to feel the
Christmas savings checks. Business
was decidedly better last Friday
when The Times Santa Claus
parade was held. 1t is a splendid
idea and one that will be of benefit
in future years.
Meyer Efroymson, president, the
Star Store-We find people shop
ping more generously this year and
buying a better type of merchan-
disc. In general, we expect sub
stantial increase in this month s
business over the same month one
year ago. Business last Friday,
when the Santa parade was held,
increased over the same Friday in
1888.
Shopping Started With Parade
o. E. Campbell. general manager,
j. c. Penney Co.-ChriStmas shop
ping started with the parade you
held Friday. We have felt better
general trade since the beginning
of the month. Staple lines, such
as dresses and other wearing ap-
parel, are selling in a greater volume
this year and beyond our expecta-
tons People are buying, and buy
ing necessities.
Leo Traugott, secretary treasurer
the Fair Store--We find business
conditions funda, 2entally better
! this Christmas than last year
Sales in general are better although
the Christmas savings checks have
hardly had time to be felt by
stores.
Charles Mayer & Co.-Demands
have increased in all lines and
better grade of merchandise is be-
ing purchased this year. Toys are
selling proportionately greater than
in 1888.