DEPARTMENTAL STORES

Southland Times, Issue 21273, 19 December 1930, Page 15

DEPARTMENTAL STORES

Southland Shopping Centre H. & J. Smith, Ltd. It is an established fact that the business of a province converges on its centre and as, for many years, Messrs H. and J. Smith's Departmental Stores has been recognized as Southland’s shopping centre, it naturally follows that the business of the town and province centres at this emporium. It can, therefore, be reasonably held that when an organization has shown steady and continued progress over a long period of years, the prestige of the concern is recognized by the buying public, who feel that they can do their shopping with complete satisfaction and confidence. -Therein lies the reason why the Departmental Stores are recognized as Southland’s Shopping Centre. This huge emporium has the largest window space in any single shop in the Dominion and two experts are kept employed arranging and dressing the windows to show the great variety of goods to their best advantage. They are busy at present giving the windows a festive air and the price tickets on the hundreds of delightful gifts displayed show that these goods, while being of first class quality, are back to pre-war prices. Many of the best gifts are priced at half of what they would have cost last year, and some are down by two-thirds. The Departmental Stores were visited yesterday during the quiet hour, but hundreds of eager shoppers were thronging the dozens of well stocked departments and the courteous assistants were having a very brisk time displaying and wrapping hundreds of bargains. Every department has newer and better goods than ever before on display and the prices in every instance are a revelation. There are gifts of all classes, both useful and ornamental. Gifts for all sorts and conditions of men, women and children. Gifts from all parts of the world. Gifts that have never been cheaper in the last 20 years. Christmas Gifts. When Ihe stores are entered by any of the entrances a sight that is sure to conjure up thoughts of Christmas meets the eye. The decorations give everything a festive air and the cheerful bustle of the assistants adds to the atmosphere of good cheer. It is, indeed, true that the firm's boast of a quick and smiling Christmas .servicer is fully justified. In every section are

courteous sales girls and salesmen eager to do their share towards making the Christmas shopping a real pleasure. Everywhere there is a joyous happy-to-serve atmosphere. There is loyal co-operation existing between the managing director, Mr J. W. Smith, and his staff, proof of which is afforded by the fact that the former has considerately granted his employees an extra day’s holiday on the Friday of both the Christmas anti New Year* weeks. The gloves and hosiery department is an interesting one, if only for the exceptionally varied nature of the articles it contains. Here are found fancy goods and novelties of all kinds. In one section there are gloves of all descriptions, showing quality and all those attributes which go to make for the adornment of “my lady’s hand.” Hosiery plays an important part in a woman’s life, for no woman feels well dressed if her stockings do not satisfy her. The ladies’ and children’s Handkerchief section present a charming picture. Here can be seen. a . wonderful array of handkerchiefs in all shades and sizes. The Kiddies’ handkerchiefs are arranged in their boxes in quaint designs. French novelties catch the eye and tempt one to go no further in the search of the suitable Christmas present, combining daintiness, beauty and utility with that rare quality which may be called unusualness. One section is devoted to runners, d'oyleys, traycloths, supper cloths, etc., which make extremely attractive gifts. For Men and Boys. In the. Clothing and Mercery Department one conies upon a sterner note, the means of satisfying the unsuspected, but, nevertheless, determined discrimination of man. Handkerchiefs, ties, hosiery, shirts and those things which assist the tailor to make .the man are there to be found, as well as travelling -requisites in the shapes of rugs, suitcases, brief and Gladstone bags, attache cases—all of them revealing that quality which is dear to the male heart.

The Showrooms. Located in the Showrooms all classes of holiday apparel are displayed. Here is the Mantle Showroom where dainty blouses, becoming frocks, lovely jumpers and all classes of fashionable wearing apparel are featured. The Millinery Department opens out to view and here there is a gorgeous array of dainty and artistic creations which cannot fail to charm and delight all lovers of things beautiful. < There can be no hesitation in recommending everyone who desires to shop with pleasure and profit to themselves to shop at the Progressive Stores, whose inexhaustible stocks give everyone the choice needed at Christmas time. There are sweets and toys for the children in endless variety, and mothers and fathers will enjoy the shopping there as much as the younger folk. Husbands will have no trouble in finding gifts that will delight their wives. They can get useful articles for every room in the house, kitchenware, cushions, rugs, curtains, carpets and a host of other things being displayed in profusion. And there are hundreds of presents suitable for husbands, But the most surprising thing about the whole of the Departmental Stores is the price placed on the goods displayed there. It is no exaggeration to say that hundreds of articles can be found at half the price ruling only a few months ago. The value is still there, too, and in many lines the colours and quality are better than ever.