The Waterbury Democrat., 1936-11-24

AS&(CAAASSAe
 Many of the Christmas workers have already been placed behind counters during November, the As- sociation reported. It estimated that in retail stores of all kinds, POS 900 extra workers will have been em- ployed during November, and 38e,000 others will serve holiday customers during December-a total of 593, ,000. Compensation for this group of workers will swell incomes by minimum of $34,000,000 1t was esti- mated.
 232.00O In Dry Goods Field
 Tn the department, dry goods and speciality store field alone, which the National Retail Dry Goods Associa- ton represents, the association fig- ured that 8i,000 extra workers will have been given jobs during Novem- Der, and l5l. .000 more will be em- ployed during December--a total of 232,00O.
 The tradition of Christmas gift giving will not only provide added employment in the retail field, the National Retail Dry Goods Associa- ton pointed out, but thousands of other workers will be required to handle the great volume of extra freight, mail and express involved.
 The number of extra workers to be used in retail stores this year will undoubtedly be larger than in any year since before the depression, the N. R. D. c. A. asserted. The aug mented retail forces will not only include extra sales help. but thou sands of 'ther store workers, in- cluding extlh delivery workers, wrappers and packers, clerical workers, etc. Their employment will be combined with anticipation of impressive sales gains, estimated generally at l59S over last year.
 Near Four Billion For Gifts
 The huge turnover in merchandise expected during the Christmas pe- rinA is reflected in estimates of the association that those stores affect- ed by the holiday tradition, includ- ing department apparel home fur nishings, food, jewelry, variety stores and others, bay be expected to ring up an estimated $3,970,00 ,000 in sales during the four weeks preced- ing Christmas. Of this amount. ap- proximately $i ,9e0, ,000,00 is expect ted to be the normal increase attri- butable to the traditional gift-giving and holiday customs. Secretary of Commerce Roper estimates that de- partment stores alone will register Se2o,0c0, 900 in sales during the holi- day season.
 Numerous factors will contribute to the bulge in sales this year, ac- cording to the N. R. D. c. A. includ- ing increased employment, dividends bonuses, and wage increases. A con- siderable factor will be the distri- button of some $3l2,000,000 in Christmas fund checks during the next few weeks.
 Will Affect Whole Nation
 Charming E. Sweitzer, managing director, said that swollen Christi mas sales would have Q beneficial effect on the country for months to come. Retail stores, he said, will re- uuire heavy replacements of mer- chandise following the Christmas pe- riod, and the net result will be to stimplate industry for months ahead.
 "should Christmas buying this year attain or exceed the gains anticipated, the country will be well started on the way to Q prosperous 1e37," he declared.
 Stores throughout the country have completed lavish plans for the Christmas seasons. the association said. and . more decorative and festive tone will be in evidence in retail establishments this year than any year since 1929.