PRICE OF BOOTS

Dominion, Volume 14, Issue 61, 6 December 1920, Page 4

PRICE OF BOOTS

NO REDUCTION, SAY AUCKLAND BT3TAILEKS.

The price of hoots was discussed in Auckland by a meeting of retailers who asserted that footwear could not be expected to decrease in price. In certain Classes of leather' there had beonrdu - tions, but these were more than co iter, balanced by increased manufactur.i g costs. At the present time, it w«laed, many retailers were selling at prices much lower than the goods could-be replaced. The cost of overhead chaigcs was 'discussed by one speaker, who jaiu these expenses formed- a very important part in the faint? of the price ot goods bought from various sources, lie referred to rent, rates, wages and advertising, upon which falling prices would be contingent, and said lie could see no future or immediate-relief m these exSpeaking on the financial position, M.r. E Kitchener- said retailers -would take the greatest delight in giving customers the benefit of any fall an prices. The .retail trade was at a most critical stage, the difficulty of financing being greater than ever licforo owing to the purchasing power of their capital having fallnn to one-third of what it was botore the war. The present bank stringency increased the difficulties of retailer.*. Mr. Kitchener said ho understood eonio of tho Auckland boot factories would boclosing down for a period early next The nieetinj, as- rcportod in TnE Dominion on Saturday, passed a motion recording its firm belief that there is.no ground for any anticipation that prices of footwear will appreciably decrease in the present or immediate future.