TOPICS FOR TRADESMEN

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXVII, Issue 17335, 25 November 1916, Page 13

TOPICS FOR TRADESMEN

[FfIOM OUR COERESX'ONDEN'T.] LONDON. September 30. INNOVATION IN HAIRDRESSING. I Much interest is being taken by hair- ] dressers in razor hair-cutting (which ) has recently been introduced) not only I because of its novelty, but also on account of its help as a trade attraci tion, and a source of re-venue. It is clear, however, from what one has seen of the new system that it is only suitable for the middle or high-class practice, and uod for the general haircutting trndo. The method involves the use of a sharp razor, instead of scissors, and calls for skillful manipulation on the part of the barber, and it is claimed that although the hair is really thinned more, the effect of the razor haircutting is to impart a fulness, and a smoothness otherwise unobtainable. That the new system is not likely to bo popular amongst the patrons of those engaged in the humbler branches of the trade is evident from the price charged. Tenpence is now being askod, and the price will soon be increased to one shifting, and the razor haircut is necessarily preceded by a shampoo, for which an extra charge is made. Apart from the question of money, some hairdressers think that the process is too long, and that other customers would soon tire of waiting, but the Ilford hairdresser who gave a demonstration of his process before a trade meeiiiiE in London last week says that nineteen minutes is sufficient for a first haircut, and that subsequent operations will take a less time. WAR-TIME CLOSING. The proposal of the Government to make an early closing order, providing for' seven o'clock closing (or possibly earlier) on days other than Saturday, and nine o'clock on that day, is being exhaustively discussed in trade circles. The draft order now under consideration bv the Government applies, with a few "specified exceptions, such as refreshments, medicines and newspapers, to all retail trades, and will, of course, be a war-time measure only whilst most traders will recognise tho Wisdom of taking such a step as a further precaution against raids by the enemy aircraft, and as being in the national interests, much hardship would be inflicted upon many shopkeepers if the early closing proposals are adopted in their present form. The shopkeepers in the suburbs of London would, tor instance, be hardly hit, if they were compelled bv law to put up their shutters nt -=even" o'clock on several evenings in tin week, because the great working population of tho metropolis would have to make many of their purchases in the Citv, as the shoos in the sunups where they live would be closed when they returned home from business m tho evenings. Thus a great voiumo of trade would b© transferred to the. central areas, and the suggestion that - as .condensation for the loss thus sustained,'the compulsory half-day posing should bo suspended for the period ot the war, scorns worthy of consideration. RETURNED GOODS. The question of the desirability or otherwise of publishing descriptions of extraordinarily liberal treatment to . customers was discussed at a trade meeting tho other clay. One retailer expressed the opinion that this practice ■ tends to educate the public to expect any demands to he met, no matter hew unreasonable they may be, -or J great the loss to tho tradesmen. That there is ground for.this apprehension is indicated by the fact that many shops have been put to considerable expenses in endeavours to satisTJ thoughtless and unreasonable customers. The practice on the part ol consumers of having expensive gooes sent to their homes, using them, ana then returning them, Ims become notorious in some districts, and u is related that a certain large drapary concern had to close n branch establishment at a seaside resort because summer residents hr.d' so many goods sent home, and, after using thorn lor out-, door parties, returned them. While the trader may ondoavour in every possible way to' satisfy tho demands ot thoughtless and fastidious patrons, one would scarcely agree with the theory ' advanced by a writer that whatever loss a firm may sustain by compliance with unreasonable demands on the part of its customers, is compensated for - by the increasing business resulting from tho reputation thus established. OBTAINING REPEAT ORDERS. Although many of the methods adopted by American retailors arc not likely to commend themselves to shopkeepers in this country, it is always of interest to take note of tho "new ideas" of our trans-Atlantic cousins. In this connection it is related that a firm in tho United States has a. unique I method of soliciting return orders. A bookkeeper, goes through the ledger making out statements, and whenever ho conies to an account that is closed', and which has been settled promptly enough to make tlio customer a satisfactory person to do business with, he writes tho name and address on a statement, just as though a monthly •« account wore to bo sent to' him. Instead of filling in tho figures, however, the following ■is stamped across the blank:—"You don't owe us a dollar. Wo wish you did.*' This is then posted to tho customer, accompanied' by some I timely advertisement matter, and the « idea is unique enough to make the reS cipient " sit up and take notice." B SHOESELLERS AND "FINDINGS. SOnc of the effects of the present high ' prices of footwear has been to make • boot retailers realise that they cannot | afford to give away shoe laces, as forJj merly. . Consequently, instead of los- ■ iug money in this way. they now get a ■;> certain amount of profit from the sale | of laces. It is probable that when s i prices go down again, the old practice I will not be reverted to, but retailers P will continuo to sell laces at a profit. "| An outcome of this has been to cause I. not a few retailers to decide to pay g more attention to shoe findings. They ■) have noticed that the majority of their ffl customers do not go to a boot shop K when they wish to buy laces, polishes, ™ gaiters, slippers, bill ton hooks, inner 1 soles, brushes, shoe horns, trees, etc. u The reason is merely because they do a not think of these things as a part of $ the shocscllcr's business, and they think » this solely because the slioeseller has neglected these articles. Many a hoot retailor is now wondering why he has let this business pass into other hands, ~ and has determined to alter things. At present stocks of findings are kept i.s low as possible in the majority of cases, and, ' if displayed at all, are put in positions where, they will be overlooked. Obviously the first steps to take to secure this business will be lo replenish and complete stocks, and to display the articles prominently in tho windows, and in positions in the shop where they will be noticed directly. It should need little persuasion on the part of the shoe retailer to get tho public to realise that a boot shop is the best place to purchase shoe findings Dealers who have given of thought and study to this matter think that findings will play no small I part in the shoe shop of the future. | =