Block · one region of the page, as the scanner read it. It may hold a whole story, part of one, several, or an advertisement; stitching blocks into articles is the next step. Text is supplied OCR.
Page 2 · column 2 of 7 · from the scan, no model involved
Calling The Time ’ * *
Government regulations or no government regulations, the consumer has much to do with calling the tune when it comes to prices, and business turnover and other such matters,
In late months, according to the Commerce Department, retail* ers have reduced their inventories —in other words, they’ve cut the stocks on hand. And the reason for this is what the Commerce Department calls a “softening of consumer demands.” T h at is, people didn’t buy as much as they had previously—anud so the retailer trimmed his sails to fit the prevailing wind. There was nothing else he could do.
Some people still think that the retailer is a tough customer who’s prime ambition in life is to outsmart and exploit them. The retailer couldn’t be that even if he wanted to—not if he means to stay in business for any length of time. Just as a burnt child dreads the fire, so does a customer hurry by the store where he got a read or fancied trimming. The competitor down the street' is there to welcome him with open arms. The-, biggest problem any retailer has— all the way from the one-man specialty shop to the chain with thousands .of outlets—Is trying to figure out i what the consumer wants, what he will or can pay, what his desires will be tomorrow or next week or next year.
The bulk of buyers are primarily interested in price—and that is especially true in this inflationary er*; For reasons of self-preservation if no other, retailers keep ’ prices as low as possible. You can offer the consumer goods, but you can’t force him to buy. In the long run, the consumer is the boss.
----—
Use the NEWS Classifed AAs
51.2%