It is estimated that the retail sales volume of Pittsburgh’s 
department stores has increased approximately 35%, since 
1920—a sure indicator that Pittsburgh’s economic strength 
is in the ascendency. 
Pittsburgh’s retail stores sell each year an average of 
approximately $481 worth of goods for each resident of Alle- 
gheny County, which county represents the steel city’s trad- 
ing area. In Philadelphia County, the corresponding per 
capita sales amount to $419 or $12 less than in Pittsburgh. 
On the same basis, sales in the trading areas centering at other 
industrial communities of the state are as follows: Reading 
$376, Altoona $344, Erie $292, Wilkes-Barre $247 and Scran- 
ton $229. The Harrisburg area equals Pittsburgh in sales 
with a per capita of $431, but this is the only community in 
the state which even approaches Pittsburgh. 
Consumer buying power measures the well being finan- 
cially of the great mass of residents of any community. 
Pittsburgh’s leadership indicates that the average family of 
this city is able to afford more comforts and luxuries than its 
counterpart in other large cities.