RETAIL TRADE

Evening Star, Issue 23094, 21 October 1938, Page 12

RETAIL TRADE

LITTLE SETBACK FROM ELECTIONS NOW ON THE UP-GRADE HOLIDAY SPENDING Retail city business slipped .into tha. doldrums during the few weeks immediately preceding the elections, but business houses now report that trade is picking up, and .every confidence ia expressed for the very near future. There has been a definite tendency to purchase freely during the past few days, but this is described simply as holidaying spending, the young people especially fitting themselves out with apparel for the Labour Day week-end, stocking up freely with sports jackets, flannels, and sports shirts. While there has been a restricted buying by a certain section of the community, the thought is expressed that' confidence is rapidly returning, and that with young girls and men, the, buying public wul shortly cast off any timorous afterthoughts or the elections and stock up with seasonal requirements. August and September are usually?; the months the housewife commences to refurnish her home, consequent upon, spring cleaning, and while in some instances there has been delay, as already stated, confidence is returning. The tendency to-day is increasing more and more for brighter colonrs, and this is reflected in curtains, carpets, and other household- furnishings. And, too, the colour vogue ■is reflected in the wearing apparel of the women, perhaps in less expensive material, but certainly brighter. With the younger men, top* colour is playing s more striking partOctober and November are the men’s months, the trade says, and buying now; is fairly free, with an expectation of'a steady increase in volume right up to the Christmas season. While the election definitely affected trade to a certain extent, retailers are very glad the contest was taken early* as it will allow any unsettling effect that followed to be completely ehmmated before the end-of-the-year holiday. Clothing : emporium window displays are now taking on a .bright colour, due to new season’s creations, and with tha warmer weather fast approaching, van.hued bathing suits of latest cut taka pride of place and are being freely sought after by young men and girls. Judging by present trends there is a very definite tendency towards a sustained and further increased ratio or spending by both sexes bs the weeks progress. • -