Presto

PRESTO
September IS, 1923
CHRISTMAN
Reproducing Grand
ANNUAL SURVEY OF
MUSIC CONDITIONS
Music Industries Chamber of Commerce in
Report Indicates Probable Shortage of
Pianos Late This Fall Greater Than
That Experienced Last Fall.
A COMPREHENSIVE REPORT
Piano and Phonograph Manufacturers Provide In-
formation in Response to Widely Distributed
Questionnaire Covering All Phases of Trade.
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Christman Piano Co.
597 East 137th St.
New York
The second annual survey of business conditions
which has just been conducted and made available
for publication by the Music Industries Chamber of
Commerce, indicates a probable shortage of pianos in
the late fall equal to, if not greater than that of last
year. In the phonograph field a marked improve-
ment in sales as compared with last year is expected.
The information on which the Chamber's report is
based was secured by means of questionnaires sent
by it to all members of the National Piano Manufac-
turers' Association and the National Association of
Music Merchants. The questionnaires were sent out
about August 1.
The complete report which has just been issued
by the Chamber reads as follows:
The Report.
If retail business generally is as good this fall as
fundamental business conditions indicate, and if the
retail music business proves to be as anticipated by
music merchants in their own localities, it appears in-
evitable that there will be nearly as great, if not a
somewhat greater shortage of pianos about the
month of November than there was last year. In the
phonograph field, moreover, the improvement in sales
should be particularly marked, as compared with a
year ago.
A study of the reports received in answer to ques-
tionnaires sent by the Music Industries Chamber of
Commerce to music merchants and piano manufac-
turers all over the country discloses a number of im-
portant facts.
An Analysis.
In general, unfilled orders of piano manufacturers
for delivery prior to the holidays are heavier than
last year by 25 per cent or a little less. In excep-
tional cases only, as is shown by a detailed study of
the returns, are unfilled orders smaller than last year.
Production plans generally call for at least 25 per cent
heavier shipments this year than last. It is particu-
larly noticeable that there are comparatively few
manufacturers who are not making plans for in-
creased production to some extent as compared with
this period last year.
Compared to last summer, the business of the past
few months has been very satisfactory, according to
the manufacturers of pianos. Shipments during June
and July were 50 per cent heavier than last year,
roughly speaking, and the replies to the question-
naires in this respect are corroborated by other
sources of information available to the Chamber.
Those plants which have shipped fewer pianos this
summer than last year have for the most part been
working under exceptional conditions, as for instance
in one case, where changes were being made in the
plant. It is likewise apparent that production during
the summer would have been heavier in a large num-
ber of plants if it had not been for a shortage of
labor.
Inventories Satisfactory.
Inventories of completed goods still in the plants
of manufacturers are generally somewhat smaller
than at this time last year. Apparently the industry
increased production during the summer without
piling up inventories of finished goods. It is inter-
esting to note that in a number of cases where there
has been an increase in inventory over last year, the
manufacturer has likewise enjoyed heavier ship-
ments to merchants than last year, and the increase
in inventory has been due to deliberate stocking up
in anticipation of a fall shortage of pianos. In the
retail end of the business, the decrease in inventories
of repossessed pianos is a sign of a much more heal-
thy condition than that which prevailed last year.
The Retail Returns.
The returns from the music merchants show only
slight increases in inventories of new pianos, in spite
of the substantially heavier purchases made during
the summer. In this connection is is to be remem-
bered that at this time last year merchants had for
the most part been successful in liquidating the
heavy inventories on hand at the beginning of the
business depression. The present satisfactory condi-
tion reflects the greatly improved retail business con-
ditions which have prevailed during the past few
months as compared with the same period during re-
cent years. The present state of piano inventories of
merchants is readily understood in view of the fact
that retail sales generally during the summer have
been at least 25 per cent heavier than last year. It
is also gratifying to note that this improved business
has been shared by practically all the merchants, as
is shown by the fact that over two-thirds of them
increased their piano sales during the summer, and
of those who reported no increase more than two-
thirds managed to keep them about the same as last
year.
Comparative Figures.
Merchants have placed orders for an even smaller
percentage of anticipated requirements for pianos
than at this time last year. Over a third have not
ordered any of their anticipated requirements yet, and
less than half have ordered over 25 per cent of their
anticipated requirements.
With respect to phonographs, a far healthier coiir
dition is shown to exist than last year. Retail stocks
are generally considerably smaller and there has ap-
parently been a healthy liquidation of stocks during
the year. This also applies to inventories of re-
possessed phonographs. The failure of merchants to
anticipate their fall and holiday requirements of pho-
nographs is even more noticeable than in the case of
pianos. Nearly half the merchants have not yet
placed orders for any of their holiday requirements,
which is even more than at this time last year when
merchants were not particularly optimistic about fall
and holiday business in phonographs.
Something to Study.
In order that any one interested in business condi-
tions in the music industry may study the replies to
the questionnaire and come to his own decision in
the matter, the following analysis is presented:
Replies of piano manufacturers on orders for pre-
holiday delivery compared with last year: Over
50 per cent increase, 8 per cent; 25 to 50 percent in-
crease, 20 per cent; up to 25 per cent increase, 36 per
cent. About the same, 28 per cent. Up to 25 per
cent decrease, 25 to 50 per cent decrease, and over
50 per cent decrease, 8 per cent.
Manufacturing plans for 1923 compared with last
year: Over 50 per cent increase, 5 per cent; 25 to
50 per cent increase, 31 per cent; up to 25 per cent
increase, 42 per cent; about the same, 11 per cent; up
to 25 per cent decrease, 8 per cent; 25 to 50 per cent
decrease, 3 per cent; over 50 per cent decrease, 10
per cent.
Shipments since June first compared with last
year: Over 50 per cent increase, 22 per cent; 25 to
50 per cent increase, 15 per cent; up to 25 per cent
increase, 31 per cent; about the same, 13 per cent;
up to 25 per cent decrease, 11 per cent; 25 to 50 per
cent decrease, 8 per cent; over 50 per cent, decrease.
Inventory Figures.
Inventory of unsold pianos compared with last
year: Over 50 per cent increase, 3 per cent; 25 to 50
per cent increase, 10 per cent; up to 25 per cent in-
crease, 18 per cent; about the same, 31 per cent; up
to 25 per cent decrease, 8 per cent; 25 to 50 per cent
decrease, 20 per cent; over 50 per cent decrease, 10
per cent.
Figures From Retailers.
The replies from the retail music merchants con-
veyed in the questionnaires returned were as follows:
Inventory of new pianos compared with last year:
Over 50 per cent increase, 7 per cent; 25 to 50 per
cent increase, 11 per cent; up to 25 per cent increase,
27 per cent; about the same, 40 per cent; up to 25
per cent decrease, 11 per cent; 25 to 50 per cent de-
crease, 4 per cent; over 50 per cent decrease,
Inventory of new phonographs compared with last
year: Over 50 per cent increase, 3 per cent; 25 to
50 per cent increase, 9 per cent; up to 25 per cent in-
crease, 16 per cent; about the same, 32 per cent; up
to 25 per cent decrease, 23 per cent; 25 to 50 per
cent decrease, 12 per cent; over 50 per cent decrease,
5 per cent.
Repossession Figures.
Stock of repossessed pianos compared with last
year: Over 50 per cent increase, no returns; 25 to
50 per cent increase, 2 per cent; up to 25 per cent in-
crease, 11 per cent; about the same, 37 per cent; up
to 25 per cent decrease, 18 per cent; 25 to 50 per
cent decrease, 14 per cent; over 50 per cent decrease,
18 per cent.
Stock of repossessed phonographs compared with
last year: Over 50 per cent increase, 1 per cent; 25
to 50 per cent increase, 1 per cent; up to 25 per cent
increase, 6 per cent; about the same, 37 per cent; up
to 25 per cent decrease, 20 per cent; 25 to 50 per cent
decrease, 9 per cent; over 50 per cent decrease, 26
per cent.
Percentage of additional requirements up to Janu-
ary 1, 1924, for which orders have been placed—(a)
(Continued on Page 10.)
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