THE COMMERCIAL TRAVELLER

Shannon News, 11 September 1928, Page 4

THE COMMERCIAL TRAVELLER

— During the war a number of-women" worked as commercial travellers, calling upon merchants and shopkeepers .and. selling goods of various ally the position taken was. one previously filled by father, husband, or brother, and the woman stepped. into ;the breach to, keep together a connection, until the absent one returned. In those days the. woman traveller became, a familiar figure in the- commercial rooms of hotels frequented by the business fraternity up and down the coun*' try. To-day women travellers are rarely seen in the commercial room an- hotel, but that is possibly because they prefer to stay elsewhere rather tfidn intrude into a masculine preserve' While their presence is not always wel--come (says the ‘ 4 Manchester GuarThe number of women engaged in the work of selling goods by calling upon, business people with samples and patterns is not large in comparison with their male competitors, but it is much 1 greater than before the war, when the, woman traveller was almost unknown*' The work is hard and usually imposes a severe physical strain updn a woman, > for oven with a ear there is muoh standing about and waiting in thh < street in all weathers for the buyer to bo at liberty. Women are frequently employed in calling upon shopkeepers, with specialities, but are vory rarely, engaged in wholesale business. The reason for this may be that merchants and . manufacturers generally Bee|t recruits from among their own employees'Who have been brought up in the business, rather than because of any prejudices against women travellers. But careful perusal of the ‘ ‘ wanted ’ J advertise ments in the daily papers reveals few opportunities for, the woman commercial traveller. Even in trade papers devoted to frocks and fashions or to coxafectionery, perfumery, and other feminine articles, the advertisements for travellers rarely include women. On the other hand, women buyers are frequently wanted, and saleswomen for shops are in constant demand, as are demonstrators and house-to-house canvassers. The only opening for a woman as a commercial traveller appears to bo in cases where some spceial feminise trait is.desired for demonstration purposes. Thus a manufacturer of ffieo powder apparently considers a good complexion of more importance than actual selling ability.

There are very few inen, however who ean become commercial: travellers without previous experience, as a connection of some kind is considered essential. Should one haye a keefi desire to become a commercial traveller the only way to represent a house of ‘good standing is by first serving An apprenticeship inside and becoming thoroughly acquainted with the goods that are to be sold. It is possible that women have no great wish to engage in a business in which there is a good deal of discomfort and disappointment withqut proportionate, reward, and have not therefore, offered their services to employers very readily. But there should be great scope for women travellers now that ready-made garments are taking the place of the dressmaker and so much, variety is seen in the shops.