Haiti and Foreign Products
French shoes
Of all the industries that fight over and share the rich Haitian market, none is more considerable than the manufacture of shoes. The amount of shoes of all sorts sent to Haiti each year is unimaginable.For this important export branch, French manufacturers, as it happens, have maintained the rank that the incontestable quality of their products assures them.
To the present, two or three firms pass as the exclusive and titled furnishers of the Black Republic; enjoying an exceptional situation, which almost constitutes a monopoly, these firm only slowly extended the commercial advantages that their numerous and faithful clients expect from them. However the merchandise sent sometimes leaves much to be desired, because, as you know, dear readers, a Haitians foot is difficult to shoe, and our compatriots want this operation to be done with style and propriety.
In general, Haitian ladies' shoe sizes are remarkably small; but they have such a high instep, a result of their excessive arches, that they require specially made shoes.
And then, why not say it? Our elegant people have refined tastes; they put a high price on Parisian "superfine" and invent styles that do not lack distinction and originality.
Considering these facts, a large firm in Paris, Maison R. Coïon (124, boulevard de la Chapelle), to satisfy the desiderata of the fine flower of Haitian Society, broke with tradition. it recently sent one of its most active and most intelligent representatives, Mr. Faure, to Haiti, where he was able to judge de visu the situation of the exported products and the new needs of its lovely clientele. It spares no expense to maintain French manufactures at the rank that it has been able to conquer; essentially a friend of progress, it took account of the observations that the people wanted to were happy to offer for the entire satisfaction of all.
Mr. Faure returned to Paris, equipped with the most useful insights, enchanted by the welcome he received from the Haitians for which he asked us to make known his deep gratitude.
It is thus that Maison R. Coïon has assured itself of the most magnificent success with the latest shipments of shoes which it has send to all parts of the Republic. Furthermore, this legitimate success will certainly be doubled by the ingenious initiative that Mr. Coïon took in accompanying his deliveries with a mass of handsome commercial portraits of General Hyppolite, which will be generously offered to the purchasers.
Without a doubt, business is business; without a doubt the merchant and the man of the world are two distinct beings, although sometimes united in the same individual; but Haitians are happy that courtesy and goodwill preside over their trade relations, and they are more willing to go to those who, even in business, find ways to show them some respect.