GROWING POPULARITY

Evening Post, Volume CXII, Issue 17, 20 July 1926, Page 2

GROWING POPULARITY

OF EMPIRE SHOPPING WEEK

RECOMMENDED ARTICLES.

(From Our Own Correspondent)

LONDON, 23rd March,

British Shopping AVeeks have begun in various centres up end down the country, and it is erident that an increased interest is being shown in tho scheme this year. Tho authorities in suburbs and provincial towns have arranged interesting and varied programmes. There are public meetings where addresses are ijeing given by Government officials and members of Parliament. There are processions of trade cars, representing Empire goods. Other features include competitions and the distribution of hundreds of gifts.

"AVhat appears to be required," says "The Times," "is that retailers should give prominence to the articles in which the Dominions are most successfully competitive, that consumers should not be biased against Empire products, because an experimental purchase may not give complete satisfaction, and that the larger wholesale buyers should make representations to the producers when they realise that an article is not arriving here, in an attractive condition.

"Articles which are thoroughly recommended* include British Columbia salmon, which is described as the. best that can be obtained; . New Zealand butter, which has definitely established its position; Australian sultanas, Australian and South African dried peaches and apricots; British Columbia fruit, considered to be very well graded; New Zealand honey; Australian and South African jams; South African bottled fruits; and Canadian cereals. Certain things like Indian tea, curries, and chutneys do not require recommendation or the advertisement of shopping weeks. They are standard products. Australian wines, too, have a good reputation, secured ; through a well-maintained level of quality. The popularity of New Zealand frozen meat is shown by the fact that the imports in 1925 amounted to 151,159 tons and the value is given at £12,092,499." EMPIRE BOXES. - The interest aroused by the efforts made in the past year to popularise Empire products is indicated by the fact that the Women's Unionist Organisation has sold 5000 Empire boxes. The ones most in demand aro those priced at half a guinea and a guinea. These contain samples of dried fruit, fish, meat, cereals, tea, coffee, cocoa, sugar, milk, honey, spices, and soup, with jam and Canadian peanut butter added in the case of the more expensive box. The half-guinea box includes products of Australia, Canada, South Africa, India, Burma, Ceylon, the West Indies, Penang, .and Nairobi. Mrs. Rolleston, to whom applications for the boxes are sent, said that the endeavour, of the Women's Unionist Organisation to encourage the stocking of Empire products by local grocers was meeting with a considerable amount of success. The position now was much better than it wag six months ago, and Empire foods were on sale even in small towns. There had been a few complaints concerning the quality of some articles, but the packing and quality of Empire produce generally had very greatly improved in the last two years. LONDON UNIVERSAL STORES. The great London stores have given and are giving substantial assistance in calling the attention of their customers to Empire products. Harrods have had one Empire shopping week, when a special display was made both in the windows and tho various departments, and a similar demonstration is being arranged for the week beginning on 3rd May. The store also maintains a regular Empire products counter in the grocery department. Self ridge's have a special British Empire products' section, also in the grocery department, and the demand is said to be good. The Army and Navy Stores and Messrs. Fortnum and Mason set apart counters and tables. The Haymarket Stores have a department exclusively devoted to Empire products. This is tastefully arranged and gives a useful idea of the wide range of articles imported from the Dominions. This permanent display has proved effective, and the Haymarket Stores are selling four times as much Empire produce as they did twelve months ago.