TOPICS FOR TRADESMEN

Taihape Daily Times, Volume 7, Issue 146, 23 February 1915, Page 3

TOPICS FOR TRADESMEN

PRICES AT SALES. With the autumn sales not very far off, attractive schemes in connection therewith are being considered by retailers. It may be of interest to detail a novelty recently tried in America. The public was given the benefit of daily automatic price reducitons. It is well known that the disappointing aspect of most sales is that after the first day the best lines are picked over, and there is little demand for those remaining. To meet IM3 difficult}-, reductions of 10 per cent, were made in the sale prices of the goods daily after the first day, the prices on the first day being, of course, considerably below usual prices, and advertised accordingly. The scheme it is claimed, gave customers an opportunity of testing their buying ability and judgment. If they delayed their purchases it would mean that they might get the goods at cheaper prices, whilst on the other hand, there is a definite chance that someone may in the meantime have bought the desired articles. To the retailer the benefits are stated to be considerable. The public, according to the firm who insti tuted the scheme, are attracted by the element of chance. Further, proper values are always obtained inasmuch as each article is valued by some potential customer who makes up his mind to purchase when the price is at a certain level. Thus the highest valuation is always obtained. -

American Window Pressing. New ideas in window dressing are shown in a Now r York store. It has been an unsatisfactory feature of shop window dressing generally that for a certain space of time the window must appear bare to the public eye, and assistants must appear in it in order to change the dressing, whilst business is proceeding. This is obviated by the firm in question, who have provided movable floors for their windows. When it is desired to change the dressing basement, run off on tracks 10 the window dressing department, and another floor, already dressed, raised in position. The -.vhole procedure does not occupy more than five minutes. In the same store another window lus a revolving floor, which has a display on each side, one showing in the window and the other in the store itself. Another unusual feature is the entrance In the daytime this appears to be merely a continuation of the pavement, but when the store is closed and the entrance is not required, the entire recess is raised, show in.* an additional window. Of course, these ideas are expensive to carry out. But all modern scientific shop equipment was only a comparatively short time ago <:ons\dcied an "extravagant fad."

Cutting anil Biark-Listing. One of the chief difficulties of a trade association is how to deal with people who will not conform to general rules as to prices, etc. The most usual method adopted is for the association to make out a "stop supplies" list. That is to say, if a trader cuts prices, say, of' any proprietary article, his name is included in a list which is sent to wholesalers who, thereupon, to keep themselves right with the association members, refuse to supply such goods will be sold at the proper price. An interesting case, revolving upon such a list, was tried in the High Courts recently. A retailer's name was included in such a list, and he sued the trade association responsible for damages for libel. He claimed that he was not, and never had been, a price-cutter. Eventually the case was withdrawn, the parties having come to an agreement, lit was, however, admitted on both aides that the issue of such a list was perfectly legitimate. Obviously, however, the greatest care should be exercised in the compilation, and names should only be included after the most exhaustive inquiries into the facts of the esse have been made.

Badly Fitting Boots. A .suggestion has reentry been put forward that all boot and aboe fitters, that is to say, al traders and shop assistants who sell boot 3 t«' the public should have to pass an examination in boot fitting, and receive a license before being allowed to sell be cbs and shoes to the public. l<; i-3 contended for the scheme that at present the great majority of people are wearing boots which are in no way suited for them, and that in consequence, many are virtually crippled. This, the argument goes on, is bad for the general welfare of the nation. The fault lies not with the manufacturers but with the shoe fitters who push badly fitting boots on to customers rather than admit that there is not a proper fit in stock. Against this, the bulk of the trade say that admitting many people are not properly shod, the shoe fitter is not to blame. He has only the shop stock at his disposal, and when its possibilities are exhausted it is for the customer to decide whether to purchase or not. If any licenses were neeessary, they should be compulsory for shoe designers and buyers. But it is contended that even that would not stop the .crippling effect of faulty footwear because in many cases those effects are not apparent, until the boot has been some time i™ wot

Weights and Scales. A North Country Grocers' Association recently completed negotiations with a local firm of scale makers and repairers for the upkeep and repair of the scales and weights of the members of the association. A charge of 5s per member desiring to participate is made, and the firm agree for thai sum to send a man to each shop one* every four months to overhaul ' and adiifst all scales, and replace any parts desired free of extra cost. Further, the firm guarantee the accuracy cf the scales at all times and give a certificate to this effect. This certificate can be hung up in the traders' shops, and serves a useful purpose in convincing the public that the shopkeeper does everything in his power to hive accurate and just scales. A lirge majority of the members of the association have already contracted for the service, and the idea is being considered by mere than one other association. THE SALE OF BREAD. A recent case brought against a firm under the Bread Act clears up n point in regard to which considerable misapprehension appears to exist. Thif point is whether "disclosure by label," i.e., the stating of a minimum weight of the bread upon a label wrapped round the loaf, is sufficient to constitute a sale by weight. It was held by the magistrates that this was not so, and they decided to convict. The ease was taken to the Appeal Court, but there a majority of the judges upheld the magistrates opinion. One judge was of opinion that the label constituted sufficient notice to the customer of the weight of the bread, but the others held that the attention of the customer may not be directed to the label, and he may in consequence never see the nctice thereon.