1 MARCH 1935, Page 52

SPIFRIDGE MEETING.

I have already referred in these columns to the increase in profits shown in the annual report of Selfridge and Co. Limited, and at the recent annual meeting Mr. Gordon Selfridge stated that the number of transactions during the year showed an increase, while the number of times stock turned was higher. The Chairman also added that twenty- nine of the Company's selling departments put to their year's credit the highest figures that they had ever shown. A not uninteresting point touched upon by Mr. Selfridge in the course of his speech was the effect of the growth in the Store's business upon the smaller but doubtless equally deserving houses and firms. Concerning this matter, Mr. Selfridge said : " As the great stores become larger and as their annual returns become greater their smaller neighbours and competitors, if capable, experienced and temperamentally equipped, seem to gain by their nearness to the big stores, and they do not hesitate to show their realization of this fact. A striking demonstration occurred last March when, during the birthday week of this House, 1,500 or 2,000 of our neighbouring shop- keepers gave to us the delightful courtesy of a great banquet to show their friendliness and good will.'