Science, Industry and Business Library > B. Altman & Co.

HE comfort and convenience of their patrons have ever been a paramount consideration with B. Altman & Co. To render shopping as agreeable as possible by reducing to a minimum the labor and fatigue involved, by endeavoring to obviate the congestion incident to special sales, and by insuring courteous attention on the part of employees, has been from the beginning one of the fundamental principles of the house.

The enlargement of the store, increasing its floor area more than fifty per cent., involves no change in the established policies of the administration, but it opens the way for a fuller realization of its business ideals and a broader development of its vast resources than have hitherto been possible. With so much more floor space available, every one of the store's many departments is now enabled to extend the scope of its activities. The facilities for the effective display of merchandise are materially augmented, and the larger selling space assures to patrons appreciably better opportunities for examining and selecting goods. Also, it is now within the power of B. Altman & Co. to cater to the needs of an infinitely larger clientele than ever before, and to present for the inspection of the public immense stocks of thoroughly reliable merchandise marked at popular prices.

The name of Altman has, from the earliest days of the business, been regarded as a synonym for integrity, excellence of quality and efficiency of service. It has not, however, been generally known that the house makes a special feature of its moderate prices. With practically unlimited facilities for purchasing, both at home and abroad, high-class goods at first hand--that is to say, direct from the manufacturer--thus eliminating the no inconsiderable profits of the middleman, B. Altman & Co. are enabled to give their patrons, the benefit of the saving, and to offer their goods at prices that are frequently far below the actual market values.

This condition applies even to a department of such magnitude as that devoted to Oriental Rugs (of which a detailed description will be found on page 35.) Every year B. Altman & Co.'s own rug experts make a six months' trip to the Far East, penetrating into the fastnesses of the Caucasus, into the most remote districts of Turkey and Persia, and into the little-known interior of Asia Minor, where they make their selections piece by piece, buying genuine antiques direct from their owners, and modern pieces, in many instances, from their makers. Thus, B. Altman & Co.'s annual sale of Oriental Rugs, which extends over a period of several weeks, is recognized as an important event in the rug world, and is awaited with eager impatience by those who know that at this sale rugs of the finest qualities and unquestionable authenticity are very frequently sold at less than half their regular selling prices.

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