The Wilmington morning star. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1909-1990, 1945-09-04
Department Stores Have
No Reconuersion Woes
BY JOHN F. CHESTER

BY JOHN F. CHESTER
Associated Press Business Editor
NEW YORK, Sept. 3-.R DE
partment stores in more than a
dozen cities reported today they
had no major reconversion prob
lem, and that housewives had bet
ter not expect any rash of "ersatz"
bargain sales.
Replies from the big stores
polled by the Associated Press
from coast to coast were unani-
NOUS in saying that their inven-
tories of wartime goods were not
high.
Most said a continuing splurge
of buying had tended to clear their
shelves for the thrush of peace
time products expected in the next
month or so, and that bargain
sales would not be necessary.
Some added that they were
screaming for something to sell
rather than struggling to get rid
Of what they had.
At the same time, however, Ben
jamin H. Namm, president Of the
National Retail Dry Goods Asso-
citation, reported that some stores
in the country were still stocked
high with what he called "ersatz"
or wartime merchandise.
Namm said disposal OF this stock
was proceeding in an orderly
fashion. If any stable group of
stores started clearing out these
goods in hurry, however, he ad-
ded, there might be an avalanche
of bargain sales which would be
felt throughout much of the retail
trade.
Chicago's big State Street de-
partment stores reported that
some drastic end-of-summer sales
were in prospect because mer-
chants disliked the idea of carry.
ing this years substitute merchan-
disc over until next year. That idea
might be followed elsewhere, too.
Boston said its usual fall clear
ance sales would be held and own
ers in most other cities indicated
they would follow suit. But they
insisted additional bargain sales
would not be necessary.
In fact, one Seattle department
store added:
'Instead of bargain sales becom-
ing prevalent, it is more likely
that prices will rise as OPA cell
ings are removed"
Store after store reported that
types Of merchandise carrying lux
ury excise taxes were moving
slowly" They said buyers were
being pretty discriminating n d
were waiting for these taxes to
be removed.
Although most cities reported
wartime stocks had been moving
out steadily without pressure,
plenty of big clearance sales al
ready have been recorded. Los An.
geles department stores had vic
tory sales last Friday and Satur-
day. Many New York establish
ments put on store-wide clearance
sales last week for the first time
since merchandise shortages be-
gan to be felt.
Here are some of the survey
replies:
New York City: Heavy volume
of sales is continuing, but buying
is more selective and on the basis
of current needs. Some mark =
downs are expected, but not big
ones. "We still can sell anything
we can get" one executive said.
Boston: Stocks are limited and
leading stores are not trying to
clear their shelves in view of the
demand while awaiting postwar
goods. Money saved during the
war is appearing. Marriages are
increasing, along with sales of
jewelry, silverware, furniture.
Philadelphia; Little ersatz ma
terial on hand after recent sales.
Some clearances may be held for
remaining inferior stock when
peace time goods start to come
in. Store redecorating is planned.
Atlanta: One big store reported
the public is buying goods faster
than we can supply them" An
other said it had no worries about
disposing of present stocks. Meth
er planned big clearance sales.
New Orleans: One store said it
would not have to offer substitutes
when genuine postwar articles ap-
peared for sale; another said it
had been clearing out stocks for
six months without putting on
sales drives.
Chicago: Inventories are lower
than normal and few big sales are
expectable except for end-of-sum-
mer clearances. Buying volume is
holding up because good merchan-
disc is available and workers have
Cleveland: Normal turnover will
clear all erstaz goods in a few
No big bargain sales
A InraI Iadv Chit