The West End Gramophone Supply Ltd

I found this in the 'Talking Machine News' dated 1st April 1908: “If proof were needed of the universal popularity of talking machines it would be amply provided by the short history of the West End Gramophone Supply Co., for here is a firm, which started, but four years ago, with only two rooms, and has increased its business to such a degree that in spite of frequent extensions of premises its comparatively spacious showrooms and offices are now all too small for its needs. In fact only consideration for the convenience of its many distinguished customers, who have become so well acquainted with its present address, prevents the management from at once removing to more commodious premises. Situated in the heart of London's fashionable shopping district - at 94, Regent Street, to be exact - the list of Royal and titled clients on the company's books is enough to turn its less fortunate rivals green with envy. The West End Gramophone Supply Co. originally started in 1904, and Mr. Clarence W. Green joined the firm at the latter end of 1904. He was offered the management - and promptly accepted it and - well I heartily congratulate the directors of the West End Gramophone Supply Co. on their choice, for as results have proved, they could never have found a better man for the post had they searched London through and through. Young and of untiring energy (judging from appearances, he has not yet reached his thirtieth birthday), Mr. Green carries a personality that at once stamps him as a business man of the most pushful type. When I recently called upon the busy but genial manager for the purpose of gleaning some of the secrets of his success, I quickly received a demonstration of the spirit and bustle with which he has imbued all his workers. I was met at the door by a smartly uniformed lad, to whom I stated my business. Almost before I had finished speaking, the boy was racing up the stairs leading to his chief's office, and in less than half a minute he was back by my side and politely requested me to step this way. The result was, that in less than a minute from my first appearance on the premises, I was engaged in conversation with Mr. Green himself. Yes, said Mr. Green in reply to my initial question. We are busy, extraordinarily so for this time of the year. It is simply marvellous the business we have done during the last month or two, and we are hundreds of pounds ahead of the sales of the corresponding periods of previous years. To what do I attribute the boom? Well, I think it is merely enthusiasm - enthusiasm for the Gramophone. The public are as enthusiastic as they can be, and this I attribute to the paramount excellence of the instrument, and I am bound to say that I and all my assistants are smitten in the same way. If you heard one of my salesmen waxing eloquent over the qualities of an instrument he was showing to a customer, you would probably put it down to his eagerness to make a good sale. But while, of course, he is here to sell the machines, I am sure his eloquence is not prompted solely by the desire to induce the customer to make a purchase. He believes in the Gramophone and believing, does his best to lead others to his view. When we started business our list of really distinguished customers was small. Now, however, l am not exaggerating when I say that we have hundreds of titled personages on our books, from Her Majesty the Queen downwards.”