The Negro in the Department Store Industry. The Racial Policies of American Industry.

This study presents the results of an investigation of the Negro employment policies, practices, and patterns of leading department stores in a limited number of major cities, with particular emphasis on downtown units. The nature of the department store industry, Negro employment before and after 1960, the impact of regional and institutional variables, and determinants of Negro employment are examined. It was found that the Negro has made significant employment progress in the department store industry over the past 30 years. To a considerable extent he has moved from the position of being an inferior commodity to being a preferred commodity. It seems appropriate to assume that equal opportunity will be approximated in the industry. However, the growing demand for the comparatively low-skill labor that is characteristic of the department store industry appears to have little benefit for Negro employment, unless there are dramatic changes in basic residential patterns and transportation systems in urban areas. Most of this high demand for labor will be for part-time workers concentrated in suburban areas. (MF)