Evening star., 1938-09-15

nLIHn DUOnvlOO
RISES SHARPLY
Advances of 80 Per Cent
Above 1887 Are Shown
by Some Stores.
BY the Associated Press.
NEW YORK, Sept. 15-A strikina
upturn In retail business was reported
today by several score Of the Nations
leading department stores.
In all parts of the country selected
big stores, with few exceptions, told
the Associated Press their sales so far
In September were rapidly approach
ing or had already broken through
the levels Of September, 1887. which
averaged the highest Of last year, al
lowing for seasonal factors.
The sharp and partly unexpected
rise, which began around Labor day,
marked complete reversal of the
6iscouraging downward trend of last
winter and was heralded in some quar-
ters as the forerunner of the autumn
business upturn predicted by many
economists
Increases Up to 30 Per Cent.
Estimates of the increase of post
Labor day business compared with
that in the same period in 1887
ranged up to 80 per cent or more in
a few instances. A considerable num-
Der of those reporting indicated. in
creases Of 10 to IS per cent
Big Chicago mail order houses said
they were now doing business equal
to the September, 1887, peak, whereas
they had expected to be not less
than 10 per cent under that figure
at this time.
Those stores which have not yet
shown an increase over 1887, again
with few exceptions, reported swiftly
declining rate of losses, and encour-
aging prospects for coming weeks.
While majority of reporting stores
said they believed much better fall
business was to be expected, many
pointed out the important part that
weather undoubtedly plays in depart
ment store buying especially at this
season.
Rise in Northeast.
In the heavily populated north
eastern part of the country especially,
where the customary Labor Day hot
spell didn't come this year, and cool
weather was fairly general, mercantile
business jumped with roar in the
last fortnight, as shoppers hastened
to buy warmer clothing and school
outfits.
The Railway Express Agency re-
ported difficulty finding conveyances
to handle the rush of mercantile
packages suddenly thrust upon it,
with Women's readyto-wear clothing
seemingly prominent Express Off
cials said they could see no sign of
abatement
In those sections of the country
where hot spells have been felt during
the last week or so. sales have held
of, but many stores said there are
plenty of indications that cool weather
will bring rush of buying orders.
In one or two cities where special
local conditions prevailed, reports were
not especially encouraging for the
immediate period.
Breakdown Of Report.
Brief regional breakdown of the
reports follows:
In the East, some big New York
stores and affiliates doing from 10 to
25 and even 80 per cent above 1897.
New Haven, Conn; Hartford, Conn. :;
Boston. Mass; Portland, Me: Albany,
N. Y; Syracuse, N. Y; Newark, N. j.,
! and Washington, D. c., all reported
better business, gains ranging from
slight increases over 1887 to 20 per
cent and more. Heat was reported
holding things back in Rochester,
N. Y.
In the South, New Orleans was we'll
up; Jacksonville, Fla, doing very we'll !;
marked increased in trade reported by
leading stores in Richmond, Va, and
Atlanta, Ga. In Charlotte, N. c.,
stores were running a little under 1887.
Louisville, KY, and Memphis, Tenn,
expected a big pickup with cooler
weather.
In the Southwest, Oklahoma City,
Okla, and Little Rock. Ark, both ex-
periencing bad weather. expected a
rush Of trade when the weather i'm
proved
In the Middle West. Chicago stores
were crowded. doing better business,
with clothing in demand. Omaha
Nebr., and Kansas City, Mo, reported
rushing business, despite bad weather.
Good pickup. although generally still
under 1887 levels, with prospects good,
We're reported in Cleveland, Ohio;
Cincinnati, Ohio; Detroit, Mich;
Indianapolis, Ind. despite bad
weather.; Milwaukee. Wis. (despite
bad weather.; ST. Louis, Mo. despite
bad weather..
In the West, Los Angeles, Calf, re-
ported very good business and sub
stantial increases over 1887. Good
business, about the same as, or slightly
higher than 1887, was reported from
Salt Lake City, Utah; Denver, Colo;
Phoenix, Ariz.; Sacramento, Calf,
and Portland, Greg. Seattle, Wash,
and Spokane, Wash, were still run
ming under 1887 levels. In San Fran
cisco, Calf, stores not affected BY
strike were 10 per cent above August,
very close to September, 1887.