The summer sales officially start in Belgium today (Tuesday), with discounts averaging 30%.
While the sales period remains an important time of year for retailers, the retail sector is still disappointed, according to the Neutral Union for the Self-Employed (NSZ).
The large e-commerce platforms, with their discounts all year round, are strangling the retail sector. Meanwhile, the pressure from large shopping centres is also increasing.
"It is mainly the 'unfair' competition from large platforms that offer discounts all year round that is cited in a survey by NSZ. Consumers are constantly seeing so-called discounts," said Cedric Tack, NSZ spokesperson.
"It has become impossible for them to know the correct price of products."
A second point is the pressure from shopping centres on the outskirts of the city.
"Customers are finding it increasingly difficult to get to city centres, so they prefer to shop in shopping centres. Politicians need to pursue a two-pronged policy to stimulate and develop retail in city centres and at the same time limit the number of shops outside the city."
Stocks are at about the same level as last year. "About 60% of retailers still have between 20% and 40% of their collection on the shelves, and 25% of them even have 60% stock. There will be an average discount of 30% from the first few days and this will probably increase rapidly."
Independent fashion retailers have achieved moderate sales during their spring and summer seasons in recent months. They estimate the upcoming sales to be in line with this, according to sector organisation Mode Unie and business network Unizo.
