TOPICS FOR TRADESMEN

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXV, Issue 16558, 23 May 1914, Page 6

TOPICS FOR TRADESMEN

[From Our Correspondent.] LONDON, April 4. FOOTWEAR FASHIONS. Forecasts of footwear fashions &T/9 not always safe, but displays in, West End establishments are indicative •ci the trend in this matter. When one ados to this the opinions expressed by prominent members of the shoe trade (men likely to know from experienoe what probably will bo worn), the risk is greatly diminished. Decidedly there is shown a preference flbr smarter footwear, both in men’s aiid women s styles, and lines which depart from the conventional receive the readier sale. The fashion of present day skirts, of course, influences the character of ladies’ slices. Apart from that large clientele which always demands . sober appearance in shoes, there is an, increasing number of wearers who prefer two colours in the uppers; combinations of black and brown leather, and, even more frequently, black and white, i.e., magpie effects. «Few customers, either men or women, are asking for tan shoes or boots, a fact which- receives expression in the preponderance" of such goods in various clearance sales of late. The tendency is for even less demand for this style. With regard to patterns, displays indicate that for ladies’ wear shoes will hold tlie lead, with a preference for Gibson rather than Oxfords in laced. But both Gibson and Oxford patterns have to give way to the bar pattern with smart ornamentation, which promises to be the leading fashion for the summer, with buttoned shoes of fancy designs in a secondary place. There would appear to be good cause again for the complaint of the shoe retailer against the multiplication of designs and styles, which leads to the necessity of carrying unduly large stocks. This is a risk which has to be remembered, and as tlie more stylish show is the greater risk, so prices should bo arranged proportionately. TRADERS AND TELEPHONES. No less than four of the resolutions to be considered at the sixteenth annual conference of the National Chamber of Trade, which is being held at Glasgow from April 17 to April 24, aim with reference to tho telephone system. This fact provides ample evidence of the feeling among shopkeepers and other traders. Tlie resolution worded by the Parliamentary Committee of the Chamber, shows tno character of the reforms generally needed. In the first place it is urged that a select committee should be appointed by the Government to take into consideration rates, methods of charging and the administration of local exchange areas. Then, in a second section of the resolution Hull Corporation m congratulated upon becoming its sole controlling authority, and on the great success of local control, a system the Chamber has advocated for thirteen years. A third section of this typical resolution emphasises the unfair and inequitable character of the agreements imposed upon telephone subscribers which do not permit of any appeal from the statement of a 81107 scriber’s account as passed by the Post Office Telephone Department. GROCERS AND WARRANTIES. Recent Police Court proceeding! against grocers under the Sale of Food and Drags Act serve to emphasise an oft-repeated warning, viz., that in buying certain classes ot goods the retailor should always insist on obtaining a written warranty. A typical case of this character was against a Wolverhampton grocer, who was prosecuted for selling sardines which were not or the naturo and substance and qualify demanded, in that they were packed m cotton .seed oil and not in on o oil as stated on the tin. It has frequently been suggested that tho fact of the statement on the tin should of itself constitute a warranty, and thus remove the onus of defending a charge of this character from the retailer to the producer. In point of fact, such would be a good defence if action were taken under the Merchandise Marks Act, but the Food and Drugs Act requires a specific warranty of genuineness before the warranty defence can bo advanced, and the magistrate who fined the grocer mentioned above remarked that he ought to so protect himself. Another point in connection with this question may be mentioned, in view of the confusion which appears to exist on the matter. It is suggested by the secretary of a grocers’ association that the safeguard of a warranty is of no avail for more than six months after it is given. This is by no means an uncommon opinion, but according to a legal authority' it is incorrect. No mention of a time limit is made in the clause which provides that if a defendant prove to tne satisfaction of the Court that he had purchased the article in question with a written warranty as to its character, and he had no reason to. believe at the time when ho sold it that the article was otherwise, and he sold it in the 6ame state as when he purchased it, he shall be discharged from the prosecution, although he will be liable to pay the costs of the prosecution unless he has previously given notice of his intention to rely upon this defence. LESSONS FROM THE STORES. There are people who would scoff at the idea of huge stores establishments built to cater for the wealthiest affording any useful lessons to the small trader in the provinces. But this theory is negatived by the practice of some of the more successful of these smaller shopkeepers in tho provinces, who have found that practical ideas can be gleaned from visits to the largo businesses in London and the big centres. One trader who has had a most successful trading career has declared that the main reason for his success was the periodical visits he paid to the large establishments in London. There are valuable lessons to be learned 6uch as the better display of goods, provisions for the comfort of shoppers, and so on. The most modest trader can profit from observations on these points, out of course he will havo to modify his practice of the .ideas according to the style and 6ize of his shop, and according to local circumstances.