Soft Goods Join the Retail Revolution.

The article reports on the outlook for self-service soft-goods supermarkets in the retail sector. The concept of the soft-goods discount department store was begun in New England by a group of merchants to counter intense competition with lower prices and better value. Brief case histories are provided for Ann & Hope, King's Department Stores, and Zayre-Bell. Topics include the characteristics of soft-goods supermarkets, differences between self-service soft-goods supermarkets and discount houses, and factors contributing to fewer opportunities for opening new soft-goods supermarkets in New England.