TEXTILES AND CLOTHING 
87 
Seasonal Demand.—The fact that the type of textile fabrics 
worn varies with the four seasons complicates the marketing 
arrangements. It means that twice each year or more often the 
retailers’ stock must be entirely reconstructed. Moreover, the 
probabilities are that when the corresponding season rolls around 
again the goods on hand at the end of one season will be out of 
key with demand. It usually is more profitable to sell left-overs 
at any price rather than to carry them over for a year. Further 
more, unseasonable weather often affects the current demand and 
upsets the plans of producers and merchants, during these short 
sub-divisions of the year. The following trade note typifies a 
situation which not infrequently develops : 
The continuance of warm, unwintry weather has played havoc with 
the heather hosiery market. Buyers were disinclined to purchase 
heavily at first because of the prospects of long skirts. Finally, however, 
they did get under way and some good business was done for a time. 
Then the weather began to become unseasonable and buyers have again 
retreated out of reach of persuasive salesmen. 
At no time during the present season have the heavy woolen grades 
been in demand and sellers have found it difficult to dispose of their stocks 
even at less than half of cost prices. One importer who had a sub 
stantial quantity of English woolen goods on hand that cost him $36 
a dozen at least succeeded in clearing his shelves of this unwanted stock 
at $9 a dozen. 
The lighter grades of silk and wool and cotton mixtures showed 
promise for a time, especially in the better construction which was 
offered freely at prices around $8 a dozen, but now buyers have even 
stopped taking these goods. Although the silk-and-cotton hosiery is 
approximately the same in weight and warmth as the average pure 
thread silk, or silk-and-fiber mixture stocking, it is declared to give an 
appearance of heat and weight that militates against its sale over the 
retail counter now. The silk-and-wool goods, selling around $10 a dozen 
are placed in the same situation. 
Comparison of Men and Women as Buyers The dominant 
motives impelling a man to buy clothing 1 are convenience, im 
pulse, custom, and brand. Men do not overlook price in buying 
a wardrobe, but they are little inclined to shop around and “com 
1 See Parlin, The Merchandising of Textiles, published by the National 
Wholesale Dry Goods Association, Philadelphia.