Business Bureau Continues Work

The work of the Bureau of Business Research has continued this year with added stimulus. The Bureau has published the first results of its study of the operating expenses in the wholesale grocery business. The figures contained in the announcement are based upon the uniform System of Operating Accounts for Wholesale Grocers which was prepared by the Bureau of Business Research in cooperation with the National Wholesale Grocers' Association. Part of the figures were taken from the books of wholesale grocers by agents of the Bureau and part of them secured by mail.

Profit and loss figures received from one hundred and eight wholesale grocers are included in the tabulation. The annual sales of the firms furnishing the figures range from about $180,000 to about $8,000,000. These firms are located in thirty-one states and Canada; thirty-seven in the east; thirty-three in the south; twenty-seven in the middle west; three in the mountain states; six in the Pacific Coast states, and two in Canada.

The success of the Bureau's important work is well illustrated by the fact that the Chicago Credit Man's Association recently voted to adopt the Harvard system of accounts for retail grocers, and is now sending names of retailers to whom copies of the accounting system are to be sent. This accounting system has worked so well for retail grocers that the National Wholesale Grocers' Association wishes to have the Bureau cooperate with its committee in creating a uniform system for all wholesale grocers.