PRICE OF FOOTWEAR.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LVIII, Issue 17782, 16 May 1921, Page 6

PRICE OF FOOTWEAR.

CONSIDERABLE REDUCTION.

AUCKLAND RETAIL TRADE.

DROP IN OTHER LEATHER GOODS.

The conditions which have brought about a heavy reduction in the price of drapery and other commodities have also affected the prices of leather goods, and while the latter have not dropped to the same extent as in respect to drapery, footwear and leather goods generally are now considerably cheaper in Auckland than they were six months ago, Boots and shoes of local manufacture were stated on Saturday by a representative of the trade to have dropped fro*m 15 per cent, to 20 per cent., .the reduction being made partly on account of cheaper hides, and partly owing to over-importa-tion. Prices in England were very high last year, and heavy supplies were therefore ordered from Australia. Many Auckland wholesale houses requested delivery as early as possible, and when financial conditions in Australia became bad a few months ago, the immediately shipped accumulated orders, in great quantities, with the result that Auckland houses became, overstocked with highpriced goods. jKs a result, heavy reductions have taken place in many lines. Some of these reductions are as much as 50 per cent. ; men's box calf boots, for instance,' which were 655, are now 35s> ladies' shoes have been reduced from 65s to 35s a pair. It is, expected, however, that as soon as these surplus stocks are cleared, prices "will harden somewhat, although in the opinion of the trade, they will not again rise to the high crest of six months ago. There has 'not as yet been much reduction in the price "of American high-class goods. Figures given by a leading, representative of the trade show that men's ]ace boots, formerly costing 26s 6d, are now selling at 19s ,6d, while women's shoes, which were 255, can now be purchased for 17s 6d. Girls' school boots have been reduced from £1 to 14s 6d, and bovs' from 18s 6d to 13s 6d.

Although there has been so great a reduction m the price of hides, leather goods such as suit-cases, saddles, and harness have not fallen more than about 10 per cent. Bag leather has not. been preciably reduced in price, the reason given for this being that wages and tanning materials are still high. Very small sales in saddlery and harness are being made at the present time, thare having been a great drop "in the demand since last year, when high prices were ruling, and retailers bought heavily in anticipa* tion pf future needs. In only one linejs any great reduction recorded, canvas having dropped oyer 50 per cent. This has brought about a reduction in several lines of goods, particularly horsecoyers.