Evening star., 1943-02-14
Wholesale Shipments
Heavy During Week.;
Orders SIacken
Delivery Difficulties
Stimulate Interest in
Autumn Lines
Special Dispatch to The Star.

NEW YORK, Feb. 13-Compared
with recent hectic buying, ordering
in wholesale markets this week de-
clined considerably, according to
Dun & Bradstreet. Inc. Shipments.
however, were extremely heavy for
this time OF year on business placed
earlier, and wholesalers were busy
reviewing orders to allocate goods
equitably and taking care Of a good
volume of mail and recorders noted
in many markets this week.
Developing delivery difficulties and
material shortages was reflected in
growing interest in fall lines and
also in the steady improvement in
collections as retailers endeavored
to maintain the best possible rela-
tions with supply sources. Collec-
tions were reported best in a great
many years, with definite increase
in cash payments.
Deliveries were beginning to run
behind the already extended sched-
uleS offered at recent market events
in numerous lines. Fabric and labor
shortages were slowing apparel.
Dresses were frequently three to four
weeks late. Mail orders were big in
medium-price spring coats, and suit
demand continued brisk, but on GER
tain numbers additional business
was refused A large demand for
infants wear further tightened the
market, with orders reaching into
May and June. Unpainted furni-
ture, chinaware and handbags were
also slow,
Fall Offerings Curbed.
Offerings of fall goods continued
to be restricted by mills uncertain as
to Government requirements, but in
staple dry goods and apparel lines
available quantities were snapped up
quickly.
Wool socks, mems heavy weight
union suits, gloves and sweaters
were bought, with sweater lines SELL
ing three months earlier than usual.
In mems clothing, buyers covered
for both spring and fall, stressing
Worsted suits and sportSWear, fall
leather coats, mackinaWS. Smaller
stores unaffected by inventory con-
troll began to anticipate Christmas
needs at giftWares shows. Toy mar
ketS reported substantial mail busi-
ness.
Home furnishings and furniture
continued active following busy win
ter market events. Furniture buyers
covered as far as six months ahead
on all types available. Dry goods
sales, which slowed somewhat, fea-
tured heavy demand for cottons.
Grocery volume remained moder-
ately larger than last year.
Retailers Are Rushed.
Many retailers this week expert
enced the biggest sales Of the year
on a buying rush inspired by the
shoe ration order, the agency added.
Excellent volume in read to-
wear, together with increasingly
successful response to regular Feb
ruary promotions, lifted retail sales
close to last years levels after the
steady declines scored in the past
weeks" the review added.
The buying rush, short lived in
many cities, was said to be subsiding
by midWeek, but retailers generally
noted that rationing had given con-
siderable impetus to the already
early purchasing of spring apparel,
with sales frequently reaching totals
usually expected four to six weeks
later in the season.
Comparisons with last year were
better than any week this year, with
sales for the entire country esti-
mated close to year ago. Regional
percentage increases were estimated
as follows: South, 3 to 7: Southwest,
II to 16; Pacific Coast, to 13; Mid
west and Northwest, to 2. Declines
were: East, 2 TO 5; New England,
to3"