110

Filing Correspondence, 117

Special Orders, 119

Returned Goods, Exchanges and Complaints, 121

Samples, 123

Keeping Employees' Time, 125

Employing Help, 128

Paying Wages, 130

Watchmen, 131

General Rules for Employees, 133

Mechanical Section, 139

INTRODUCTION.

No other branch of business can bear comparison with the wonderful
results achieved by Department Stores, such a success as has made them
the wonder of modern merchandising. These stores, that have grown to
greatness from small beginnings, have a force and power behind them that
commands general interest. Their store-keeping rests upon certain
well-defined principles, and not upon chance, sensations or experiments.

It is not the intention in this volume to prejudice public opinion
against Department Stores. No attempt has been made to enumerate any
reasons why they exist and flourish, nor any effort made to prove that
they are a necessity, or otherwise.

Whether they promote and build up the best interests of the people and
country at large, or are detrimental to them, is a question on which
intelligent opinion is largely divided.

The fact remains--a plain indisputable fact--that they do exist; that
they have had a tremendous growth in recent years, both in Europe and
America; that organizations of this character beginning a few years ago
have developed into the largest and most successful mercantile
institutions in the world.

The author, from several years' practical experience, having been
closely identified with the policy adopted, and with all the detail of
system employed, in running one of the largest Department Stores on this
continent, having visited at different times the trade centers of
America, and examined carefully into the systems employed in other
stores of a similar character, and made careful comparisons, is
satisfied that the enquiring public will appreciate the endeavor to give
them an intelligent idea of "How Department Stores are carried on."

General Principles.

One of the great underlying principles of Modern Department Stores is
cash. Buying and selling for cash. Cash and one price. Some deviations