Evening star., 1934-12-23
MERCHANTS NOTE
SALES SPURT WITH
DAY LEFT TO SHOP
Prosperity Trend Seems
More Definite With
Stores Figures.
NO GRUMBLING NOTES
HEARD In U. S. SURVEY
All Sections Of Nation See Tre-
mendous Gains Over Former
Seasons.

Seasons.
Copyright. 1884. BY the Associated Press)
A Nation of shopkeepers cheerily
banged shutters tight last night on
the largest Yuletide trade since pros
perity was spoken Of in the present
tense.
And one more day Of rush-shop-
ping remained before Christmas to
give merchants a last chance at
clicking cash registers and looking
at something besides naughts on the
left side Of the adding machine.
In a Nationwide business survey
conducted by the Associated Press
not a single grumble of bad business
was voiced.
Many merchants enthusiastically
proclaimed their trade in terms Of
"best since 1931--since 1930-since
1929"
Big Gains Recorded.
Percentages of gain over last year
ranged from 8 to 100, mostly meas
ured in dollar volume, and cautious
department store executives described
the increase with adjectives ranging
from slight" to "highly substan-
tial."
In the selection Of gifts the home
and members of the family appeared
TO be getting more than even break
with purchases on the practical side
stressed h many large cities.
At the same time, however, luxury
items were not being slighted. The
volume of sales in that class was
at a for-year peak in many parts
Of the Nation.
Leading stores In key cities OF the
East smiled with statements that sales
this Christmas rose from 8 TO Is
per cent over last year.
New York Feels Tax.
New York City, largest of the Ma
tion's individual markets, felt the
effects OF o 0 per cent sales tax
slapped on for the benefit Of the
unemployed. 4 number Of stores
reported volume 8 to Is per cent
over last year, but some merchants
said o recapitulation would show the
cllblIe ocaSOn OA14y sA4AAC c'CA
1888. Practical. priced items sold
best.
Pittsburgh trade was 88 per cent
up In the last four weeks over 1888
and l4.S per cent higher IN the last
week over the previous year m re-
ports of IL department stores.
Baltimore shopping was recorded
as the best in three years in volume
and dollar value.
New Haven authorities estimated
Connecticut department store sales
increased 81s to Is per cent over~a
year ago, with thu best dollar volume
since 1881. Shoppers bought better
merchandise and more useful gifts.
Philadelphia stores were jammed.
Reports put buying at IS to "a per
cent more this year.
Boston merchants noted no COM
plant of small units Of purchases
and some reported 10 per cent better
sales.
Midwest Squirt Noted.
In the Midwest a practical op-
timism on the part Of customers sent
oo4Cc ACPOAtS0 AL 1CPo4 1A41CAS cOOASo
and other gift shops bounding ahead.
Indianapolis trade was estimated
up Is to 20 per cent, the best in
three years, with moderate-priced
and useful gifts leading sales.
Detroit watched trade 60 up 16
per cent In November and 20 per
cent in December over last year,
merchants said, TO match 1875
stride. The public bought better
merchandise, too.
Louisville swung ahead with the
rest of the State when tobacco mar
kets opened. Sales were up IS to
20 per cent, officials agreed, and it
looked like 'popular-priced Christ
mas" Mems furnishings and home
items led in some stores.
increased from slightly" to so per
cent. Practical gifts were bought
with an eye to quality.
Cleveland announced sales IS per
cent over 1888 and 20 per cent over
1882. Columbus said people are
more optimistic about spending" and
reported q 10 per cent gain. Toledo
said sales were up 10 to II per cent.
Kansas City demanded utility mer-
chandise mostly under IS, business
men figured, but sales were 10 TO 20
per cent over a year ago In both
the number Of items and dollar
volume. Price emphasis was strong
but little less than last year. Toy
sales were marked 20 per cent ahead
of 1898.
st. Louis reported one store "A
per cent over the previous year, and
two leading stores said customers
wanted better merchandise and even
luxury articles.
West and Southwest Happy.
West and Southwest stores ex.
pressed delight over the sales volume
and high-priced demands Of their
customers.
Oklahoma City Retailers Associa.
ton estimated trade Is to IS per cent
higher than last year with the biggest
dollar volume since 1881. More ex-
pensive items led, 1t was shown, and
jewelry had the largest upturn In
years.
Houston said trade was "substan-
tally better" Fort Worth recorded
20 to 20 per cent gain with dollar
volume the best In years. Dallas re-
ported sales 20 to 40 per cent better.
Denver merchants said sales this
week averaged IS per cent better than
the same week year ago. Reports
TO the Merchants Association in
dicated Q heavy buying Of useful
gifts, but finer gifts were not sighted.
Railroads said holiday travel was
heavier.
The South noted o consumer DE-
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