RETAIL TRADE.

Press, Volume LXII, Issue 18888, 31 December 1926, Page 14

RETAIL TRADE.

MORE CUSTOMERS WITH LESS MONEY. [THE FBESS Special gervi««.] AUCKLAND, December 30. '"More customers than ever, but with less money to spend." Such is the brief epitome of the state of the retail trado in Auckland during 1926, as revealed by interviews .with, the heads of the principal local firms. "TVe have never had a busier year," said a partner in one. of the leading outfitting and furnishing stores to-day, "but it has been strikingly evident that purchasers are buying cheaper goods." He went on to emphasise tho fact that the prosperity of the city is a reflex of that of the country. "It is an oft-proved truism," he said, "that trade in Auckland city depends upon the trade of the Auckland province, and the experience of shopkeepers during 1926 has once more driven it home." The gentleman just quoted was, of course, speaking for his own particular line of trade, but it is an interesting fact that several other business men who were interviewed voiced a precisely similar opinion. There was some divergence of view whether trade would improve, sotrm holding that the coming year would lie bettor than the present, and sonic that there would Ikj little change, whilst, the majority were disinclined to offer a definite opinion. The effect of the coal strike..' at Home and the effects of Continental and American competition, hav all been felt, but it is difficult to sav whether the present dcnre?sion is temporary, or is likely to be a lasting one. The comforting fact emerges that the depression, as reflected bv the retail trade, is not so serious as it has frequently been represented to be-