34 
THE MODEL STOCK PLAN 
full-line prices, as customers learn from experience that they 
can always find what they want in large assortment at a 
given price at our store and find at that price very many of 
the better styles and better goods that are usually sold at 
higher prices. 
As yet we have not touched on one extremely important 
phase of this three-price-level side of the Model Stock Plan. 
The point is, by setting our prices scientifically throughout 
every department, we bring about a real consistency of price 
appeal. It is easy to lose customers and goodwill by failing 
to have the corresponding qualities and prices in all other 
departments. For instance, the price lines in the dress 
goods department imply the same general values and prices 
in trimmings, linings, and the like. 
Operated consistently in this respect, the Model Stock 
Plan brings about a uniformity of price that increases total 
sales. Let us look at another instance. Color is not the 
only measure of an ensemble. If a woman can find in one 
store all the garments and accessories to constitute an 
ensemble, that does not mean that she can or will buy in that 
store. If she buys a $25 dress she can presumably match 
the dress with shoes of appropriate color in the shoe depart- 
ment, But if the buyer of the shoe department believes in 
catering only to the higher-priced trade—in which, obviously, 
the buyer of the dress department does not believe—she 
may find no shoes to match at less than $20. If she can 
afford only a $25 dress she obviously cannot afford $20 
shoes. Under the Model Stock Plan not only are prices set 
at three price levels to yield 85 per cent of the total sales of 
the store! but also they are set in each department at a level 
that matches the levels of the other departments. 
In a store with a number of buyers, each in charge of a 
separate department, it is difficult to keep stocks consistent 
throughout. Buyers recognize, however, the value of the 
effort to keep merchandise in all departments up to a uni- 
form proper standard. The Model Stock Plan goes through 
1 De luxe departments and the basement store account for the proportion 
of the store’s sales outside the three full lines.