SOFT GOODS TRADE.

Taranaki Daily News, 22 August 1921, Page 8

SOFT GOODS TRADE.

MORE STABLE CONDITIONS. OPINION IN CHRISTCHURCH. Christchurch, August IS. “Tn many instafiees wo are now gelling goods al a profit which two or three months ago were offered nn sweeps fully at prices which represented a dead loss.” Thi«s statement was made by a softgoods merchant 'and was confirmed by other mon of the I rude. There, is now a definite trend toward more stable conditions, with a slight hardening of prices. Stocks in the ag ! gregale are still very heavy, and until , these are reduced to normal the recovery ! will be only partial. Some lines, howlever, are fairly abort, and in respect of these values are firming. The retail trade is still very sparing in its purchases for general soft goods. Many lines of spring goods are. however, selling fairly well, but principally because the supplies held are not above normal. Millinery goods are being quitted very freely. Dominion traders are not operating to any extent just now nn the London market. The indications in the soft-goods trade in the Dominion are that prices will bo uneven during the coming season, fluctuating according to supply. Shortages in many lines, because of the falling off in overseas orders, are expected to develop.