SPENDING FREELY.

Press, Volume LXVI, Issue 20089, 19 November 1930, Page 13

SPENDING FREELY.

- - . . —: —♦ ; " HOLIDAY shopping. IMPROVED TONE IN EVIDENCE. Up to a month Or two ago, according to husiuess men. who endeavour to understand the psychological factors affecting internal trade, a great hesitancy on the part of the buying public to spend their money and. the existence of ac considerable degree of pessimism, no doubt produced b.v the doleful news received from abroad,'made the prospects for. Christmas for retailers anything but promising. But.a.. change has "been noticed sine© the definite pass-" ing of winter,"the more optimistic out--' look of the people being evidence of a mental readjustment to the new econo- • mic conditions. ; - People are showing a disposition to prepare for the Christmas season by making certain purchases already, a development which retailers, welcome * as calculated to ease the burden on their staffs during the last week or bo . • before the holidays commence. It is not surprising, therefore, that the lay-by system, whereby goods may be secured for the purchaser on payment of a deposit, is more popular this year than ever before. Very like hirepurchase in the way in which it enables buyers to spread their outlay over a period of weeks, it differs from that system in two respects: the purchaser does not " receive the use'of goods before payments are completed, and no agreement is signed between the parties. Although' depression is affecting manufacture the -world over, toys and I presents-for Christmas and Jsew Year are again coming forward in new form* and infinite variety. - __ , . latest in Toys... Racing motor-cars aud aeroplanes are very popular, thanks- to the exploits of-the Golden Arrow rand Silver Bullet and-. British-machines in the Schneider / Cup, and faithful -imitations of these famous models are available for youthful enthusiasts. , . Attractive displays of the hundreds of useful articles, the giving of which returns such pleasure to the purchaser and the" receiving of which contributes so materially to the spirit "of goodwill during the Christmas season, are now being arranged, and the City shops this year- -will assist, in a great way, in making people' forget the cares of a year -which has been more trying than those immediately preceding.it. Perhaps no truer index to the spirit in which people are approaching Christmas can be given than by the tobacconists, who are laying in special pack- „ ings of smokers' requisites in largo quantities and great variety.Smokers are more '' discriminating than -ever, a tobacconist told, ft representative of The Pbbss yesterday, and many 'now demand the- -well-flavoured : cigarettes bidding fair t<» some of - the-standard'linea> -whicn, > though providing- quite; a. satisfying smoke, fail to meet the varied- tastes of individuals. . A general upward trend in quality. exists as evidence of the re- 1 sponso of the manufacturers to the demands of the consumers. Another development: noticed by tobacconists is -the growing disposition of" City men to- smoke" both the pip® and cigarettes, ■ the former when the calls of business are nofcsa pressing as to ;• prevent ;the enjbymejifc:.<jl the fragrant weed in such a form, and -the latter when the time, ayailaplftrlor such ... relaxation is more-restricted. ...