CHAIN STORES

Evening Star, Issue 19638, 18 August 1927, Page 9

CHAIN STORES

FORESEEN AS NEXT TRADE STEP. Chain stores will bo operated with complete automatic service, doing away with salespeople and requiring only supervisors, according to predictions of Mr Charles 0. Nichols Jr., vice-presi-dent of a New' York chain store concern, before the convention of the National Association of Building Owners and Managers. Mr Nichols stated such a development will make possible their location in every neighborhood district, as well as the establishment of their own factories _ from which shipments of merchandise covering special requirements will ho made to various units by airplanes. Certain chain stores in large office buildings, he: pointed out, will have electric dumb waiters serving food, refreshments, and other articles of small - merchandise to occupants of the floors above. . The advantages of chain stores were pointed: out also by other speakers from - chain store organisations as .saving in salaries and administration of executives, greater purchasing power, bulk manufacturing 1 , systematic bookkeeping, mass production of fixtures by the hundred foot, granting of percentage bonus to managers above salaries, thus affording an incentive to increase sales, and the building up of-patronage in 100 cities. Increasing purchases are being made in neighborhood centres instead of central shopping sections as formerly, it was pointed out. The advent of the bus was also shown, to bo causing unusual trade changes at busy street transfer corners.