In Belgium, traders are disappointed with the winter sales – Business
Traders are mostly disappointed with the sales, according to a survey conducted by the UCM on the eve of the last weekend of reductions. They point to the decline in purchasing power linked to the price of energy and the waves of quarantine. The SNI makes the same observation, indicating that 6 out of 10 details indicate a drop in turnover compared to last year’s sales.
If it is better than last year, the result remains lower by at least 15% than in 2019, according to the UCM (Union of Middle Classes). While the SNI (Syndicat Neutre pour Indépendants) reports in a press release that “For retailers, sales are certainly not ancient history. Our survey of 384 members showed that 2 out of 3 retailers require always in favor and wishing to maintain them as they are: same duration and same period”.
Moreover, telework seems to have created a displacement of customers from urban centers to smaller commercial centres. Thus, note the UCM, businesses in cities like Eghezée or Braine-l’Alleud have more customers than Namur or Charleroi. Liège, on the other hand, seems to have benefited from the closure of stores in the Netherlands even if we did not face a “rush”. Finally, for Brussels, some days were “correct”, according to traders.
“In Flanders, the Dutch, who at the beginning of the sales period came to the big cities, give a distorted picture. In these cities, the Dutch invasion led to an average increase in turnover of 20%. , after a good start the first week due to the Christmas holidays, the number of customers quickly decreased”. The figures speak for themselves: no less than 63% of traders speak of a drop in turnover compared to last year. Among them, 24% speak of a drop of 20 to 40%. Compared to 2019, before the corona, 27.5% even say that they will suffer a loss of turnover of more than 40%. As a result, no less than 48% of them end up with a large stock which they try to get rid of during an upcoming sale, according to the SNI survey.
Bad sales and weighty online sales
Due to poor sales, traders smoke less risk, according to the SNI. Six out of ten retailers reduced their purchases for the summer collection. “We will demonstrate that the detailed will not enter a vicious circle of disappointing sales and less cash to buy new collections, it is not viable, adds the union again. We urgently need a ‘ code green’ on the corona barometer and better consumer confidence to give our merchants more oxygen. Otherwise, we are heading for another wave of bankruptcies.”
Online purchases have also had an impact on in-store purchases. In addition, with telework, clothing habits, for example, have changed, in favor of more casual outfits. Result: fewer requests for dresses, jackets or even dress shoes, details the UCM.
“The proliferation of discounts and special offers throughout the year also structurally reduces the impact of sales,” adds the statement from the UCM. Even if independent traders are seeking legislation allowing them to sell at a loss. “It is clear that our traders will still favor from this pandemic, declares the SNI. The majority are also not very optimistic for the future. Nevertheless, most of them are in favor of maintaining the period of sales under its present form.
If it is better than last year, the result remains lower by at least 15% than in 2019, according to the UCM (Union of Middle Classes). While the SNI (Syndicat Neutre pour Indépendants) reports in a press release that “For retailers, sales are certainly not ancient history. Our survey of 384 members showed that 2 out of 3 retailers require always in favor and wishing to maintain them as they are: same duration and same period”. Moreover, telework seems to have created a displacement of customers from urban centers to smaller commercial centres. Thus, note the UCM, businesses in cities like Eghezée or Braine-l’Alleud have more customers than Namur or Charleroi. Liège, on the other hand, seems to have benefited from the closure of stores in the Netherlands even if we did not face a “rush”. Finally, for Brussels, some days were “correct”, according to traders. “In Flanders, the Dutch, who at the beginning of the sales period came to the big cities, give a distorted image. Dutch company led to an average increase in turnover of 20%. After a good start in the first week due to the Christmas holidays, the number of customers fell rapidly”. The figures speak for themselves: no less than 63% of traders speak of a drop in turnover compared to last year. Among them, 24% speak of a drop of 20 to 40%. Compared to 2019, before the corona, 27.5% even say that they will suffer a loss of turnover of more than 40%. As a result, no less than 48% of them end up with a large stock which they try to get rid of during an upcoming sale, according to the SNI survey. Bad sales and online sales weigh Due to bad sales, merchants consume less risk, according to the SNI. Six out of ten retailers reduced their purchases for the summer collection. “We will demonstrate that the detailed will not enter a vicious circle of disappointing sales and less cash to buy new collections, it is not viable, adds the union again. We urgently need a ‘ code green’ on the corona barometer and better consumer confidence to give our merchants more oxygen. Otherwise, we are heading for another wave of bankruptcies.” Online purchases have also had an impact on in-store purchases. In addition, with telework, clothing habits, for example, have changed, in favor of more casual outfits. Result: fewer requests for dresses, jackets or even dress shoes, details the UCM. “The proliferation of discounts and special offers throughout the year also structurally reduces the impact of sales,” adds the statement from the UCM. Even if independent traders are seeking legislation allowing them to sell at a loss. “It is clear that our traders will still favor from this pandemic, declares the SNI. The majority are also not very optimistic for the future. Nevertheless, most of them are in favor of maintaining the period of sales under its present form.