THE DRAPERY TRADE.

Shannon News, 26 July 1921, Page 3

THE DRAPERY TRADE.

TREND OF PRICES. UPWARD MOVEMENT FORECASTED. Some interesting expressions as to the probable tendency of prices in the drapery trade was contained in the drapery and textile trade supplement, of the overseas “Daily Mail” of May 28th'. “Never before in the history of the drapery trade,” it was stated to a "Times” reporter, “has it been more difficult than it is now to forecast the probable trend of events. There is a general impression that prices of most classes of raw materials associated with textile manufacturing" have now touched bottom. The next move will, it is thought, be upwards. Indeed, this is considered to be practically assured should the anticipated revival in trade set in. In most departments of the manufacturing trade, productive costs, so far as they are affected by wages, are now being placed on a basis which will continue for some months. The Mercantile Guardian of May 21 states that in Bradford prices are advancing in all sections of the trade from, the raw material to the finished cloth, especially in better-class crossbreds and botanies. Cheap stock lots have disappeared from the market, and it. is evident that, manufacturers are not prepared to accept new orders at less than cost of production.