Evening Republican, Volume 18, Number 271, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 16 November 1914 — Evolution of Modern Trade. [ARTICLE]

Evolution of Modern Trade.

In a jewelry store more than fifty years ago, John Wanamaker was buying a present for hie mother with a few dollars of his earnings.' “I’ll take that,” he said, pointing to a dainty jewel and handing out the' cash a little proudly. As he spoke, he saw another shiny something that pleased him stilF more, even though It came higher. "I ’ think I’ll change my mind and take that one Instead,” he said to the man, who had not yet wrapped up the first selection. "It’s too late now,” snapped the jeweler. "You’ve bought this and you must keep it” Doubtless it had been In stock a long time and the salesman felt proud that he had worked it off. It was an affront to the young purchaser, but It was the inception of one of the basic policies in the Wanamaker system. The jeweler's attitude reflected trade conditions prior to ’6l, but all this was reversed in the Wanamaker idea, ufcose creator has lived to see his convictions adopted as business axioms. One price for goods and the return of purchases has revolutionized retail trade not only in Philadelphia, where It met with bitter opposition, but in all parts of the country. John-Wanamaker was one of the first merchants to recognize the. privilege of the American woman to change her piind.—"A Modern Business General,” by Flynn Wayne, tn National Magazine.