CHAPTER XI 



HOW TO CREATE INTEREST IN FINER TEA 



IT has been previously mentioned that the home 

 consumption now stands at about 6 Ibs. per head, the 

 actual amount being 6*18 for 1908, compared with 

 5*83 Ibs. ten years ago. Comparisons with other 

 articles of food will prove that the grocer will be acting 

 wisely if he pushes tea in preference to many other 

 commodities. At the present time, the family grocer 

 is not selling his share of tea, and he hardly realises 

 what an important asset it may become to his business 

 if vigorously pushed. For instance, if a quantity of tea 

 at Is. 6d. is sold, the profit made on the transaction will 

 be about 20 per cent., a result not to be despised. Yet 

 notwithstanding this handsome return, a grocer will in 

 many cases display in a prominent manner other articles 

 upon which he will be fortunate if half the above profit 

 is obtained. Many of those engaged in the retail trade 

 have not grasped this important fact, and if traders 

 would give the space to a display of tea, which is now 

 devoted to an ostentatious exhibition of articles which 

 have a comparatively small consumption, a larger 

 turnover with a proportionately increased profit would 

 result. Provided a grocer gives good value, it is quite 

 within the realms of possibility for him to build up a 

 valuable and increasing trade which will bring in a 

 regular and certain profit all the year round. This is 

 partly due to the facilities given by the wholesale houses, 

 who hold large stocks and so enable the retailer to main- 

 tain a continuity in his blends, while, on the contrary, 



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