Facts and Figures

Higher. Retail sales in U.S. department stores last week were 12% higher than a year ago. Merchants in Manhattan (where sales were up 20%) attributed the buying wave to ex-servicemen purchasing new wardrobes and household goods for their brides.

Fledgling. Consolidated Vultee Aircraft Corp. will test its wings in a new market -- consumer goods. In its $6 million fighter and bombers parts plant at Nashville, Consolidated will go into production of gas and electric ranges and farm equipment.

Net Gain. For the first time in four years, buyers of human hair for the Venida Hair Nets are en route to China. They will buy hair for 65 million hairnets, subcontract the net-making to 300,000 Chinese women.

Anything to Rent? The Department of Commerce estimated that $7.3 billion will be spent for new construction in 1946--an increase of 60% over this year.

Property owners will spend $5 billion for repairs and maintenance.

Santa Gets a Raise. Toys will cost more from now on. The OPA granted toy manufacturers a 15% boost in prices, which will be tacked on retail prices.

Help Wanted. The Civil Aeronautics Administration estimated that there will be 750,000 new jobs in aviation within ten years. Another estimate: by 1955 airlines will carry 22 million passengers a year. Number carried last year: 4,000,000.

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