CHRISTMAS TRADE

Evening Post, Volume CVIII, Issue 152, 24 December 1929, Page 12

CHRISTMAS TRADE

FROM THE WHOLESALE ANGLE

Prom inquiries made by "The Post" in wholesale quantities the year's returns w'.ll close at about equal to or a little better than those for 1928. The spirit resulting from Christmas demand is reported to be up to, and in some cases beyond, expectations. "This is especially so in the fancy goods sections, but it is noted that the demand has Been for cheaper lines, especally of toys, in which competition is very keen. Of course,. Christmas fancy goods business with retail houses for -the Christmas trade has been done months ago, at the same time the warehouses' staffs stain! ready to deal with repeat business and last moment calls for stocks running low. If the "present" trade is anything to go by, it has been noticed that economy on the part of purchasers is evident and shopkeepers have ordered accordingly. Grocery luxury lines have been well stocked in anticipation of Christmas rush, and as the warehouses see it the turnover during the past two or three days has been brisk. In hams the outgoings from the stores have been about the same as last year. Very keen competition on the retail side is conspicuous in the grocery trade this season, and some lines have been cut exceedingly fine. Business done with warehouses has been on very conservative lines.

In the softgoods section orders' were booked four or five months ago, but the warehouses have been meeting urgency calls with the improved weather. Retailers are certainly pushing business this Christmas, but at the same time keeping a sharp eye on their shelves. Complaints are fairly general that accounts are not easy to collect, but there is markedly more confidence being shown by retailers in the outlook beyond Christmas than was noticeable this time last year. There seems, too,'to be a general disposition on the part of retailers this year to meet limited spending power of people and the marked discrimination shown by them in making money gp to its utmost purchasing limits. From all that can be learned on inquir 1.----in wholesale quarters the year closes iii a fairJy healthy condition, but care will be necessary to keep "it so during 1930 •