In the midst of the 2024 winter sale season, the Neutral Union for Independents (SNI) reported a discouraging outlook for retailers on Thursday. More than one in three anticipate a 10% to 20% fall in sales compared to last year.
Stocks are not decreasing rapidly enough, the SNI stated, which surveyed about 100 traders and ten associations, revealing that over half of the retailers still have between 20% and 40% of their products on the shelf. The forecast for the latter half of the sale season remains gloomy.
As a result, 52% of retailers predict that the average discounts for the second half of sales will be at least 50%. "It is necessary to try and clear out stocks to make room and bring in funds, but it is also clear that after a financially difficult period for many, customers are thinking twice before spending their money," says the union.
Future prospects continue to dismay: 63% of retailers have a negative outlook towards the end of the sale period, predicting a dip in sales between 10% and 20% compared to the same period in 2023. A mere 13% are more optimistic and expect an increase in turnover.
"This is far from good news, considering that 2023 was not particularly impressive either due to strong inflation at the time."
