PANIC BUYING

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 86, Issue 111, 14 May 1942, Page 5

PANIC BUYING

CONTINUES IN AUSTRALIA QUOTA SOON EXHAUSTED Special Aus. Correspondent N.Z.P.A. (Recd. 11.45 p.m.) Sydney, May 13. Panic clothing buying continued to-day throughout Australia. In Sydney most stores sold their quotas within an hour of opening. Three days’ practice, it is generally conceded, has made panic buyers amazingly efficient. Some city stores had queues of 200 or more outside their doors when they opened for business. One of the biggest crowds was at a store heavily placarded with the sign “Lend to Defend.” Retail executives express disgus*. Under the present svstem of buying legitimate purchasers with small needs have been crowded out by panic shoppers. Most stores announced that they will remain closed on certain days of the week until the coupon system comes into operation. One Sydney firm will clo»e its doors against the general public until the day rationing is introduced. Known clients may make telephone appointments and will be supplied to the limits of the store’s quota. “Our stock is being bought by women who don’t ; need, but who are madly squandering 'money." declared the manager. I All stores have found that old ‘ stocks have sold readily now that cus- , tomers have shown absolutely no 1 discrimination in their purchases. • While it is generally agreed that there must eventually b° some reduci lion in staffs to match the quota, all i firms find they need full staffs to 1 cope with the present hectic rush. In 1 on f - large store girls who began work i at 10 o’clock this morning left half i an hour later—the quota sold. It Is I generally expected that the panic ' buving rush will ease off next week. -!