UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE 
DEPARTMENT BULLETIN No. 1441 
Washington, D. C. 
November. 1926 
METHODS AND PRACTICES OF RETAILING MEAT' 
By W. C. Davis, Assistant Chief Marketing Specialist, Bureau of Agricultural 
Economics 
CONTENTS 
Page 
Factors studied 2 
Number of stores in relation to population... 2 
Location of store 2 
Types of stores 3 
Credit-and-delivery or service stores 3 
Cash-and-carry stores 4 
Peddler wagon routes 5 
Public markets and centralized market 
areas 5 
Chinese retail meat markets 6 
Relative efficiency of different types of retail 
meat stores 7 
Practical knowledge of proprietor 7 
Sources of supply and methods of buying 9 
Page 
Facilities and equipment ]0 
Sanitation 11 
Local inspection 12 
Bookkeeping 12 
Salesmanship and selling practices 13 
Misleading practices and deception 13 
Frequency of turnover 15 
Cutting tests 15 
Disproportionate demand for cuts 16 
Spread between wholesale cost and retail 
prices 17 
Minor factors in retail trade 20 
Recommendations 21 
This study of methods and practices of retailing meats was made 
in 20 cities and towns in 1924 and 1925. These cities were selected 
according to geographical locations, and consideration was given to 
the character or type of the predominating industry or sources of 
income in each case. The cities and towns included in the study are 
New Haven, Conn.; New York and Binghamton, N. Y.; Baltimore, 
Md.; Washington, D. C; Jacksonville, Fla.; Birmingham, Ala.; New 
Orleans, La.; Oklahoma City, Okla.: Cleveland, Ohio; Detroit, Mich.; 
Minneapolis, Minn.; Chicago, 111.; Lincoln, Nebr.; Denver, Colo.; 
Salt Lake City, Utah; Seattle, Wash.; Portland, Oreg.; San Fran- 
cisco, Oakland, and Los Angeles, Calif. (Fig. 1.) 
The total number of stores embraced in the study is 1,404 and 
includes credit-and-delivery stores; cash-and-carry stores (including 
both small and large chain store systems), combination stores, 
straight meat markets, public markets, peddler wagon routes, and 
curb wagon stands. Of the 1,400 stores visited about 600 belonged 
to chain systems and 800 were independent shops. 
1 A survey of the retail marketing of meat was provided for by Congress in the act making appropriations 
for the United States Department of Agriculture for the fiscal'year 1924-25. Further appropriation for this 
work was provided for the year 1925-26. The survey was divided into three parts: (1) Methods and prac- 
tices, (2) margins, expenses and profits, and (3) consumer habits and preferences in the purchase and con- 
sumption of meat. A study of these factors and their influence upon the market for meat constituted the 
general plan as a whole. The first part relating to methods and practices is covered in this bulletin. The 
second part of the study is reported in Department Bulletin No. 1442 and the third part in Department 
Bulletin No. 1443. 
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