INTERVIEW
The decision was eagerly awaited by several federations of traders, whose outlets remained closed for a long time due to the epidemic of coronavirus. Tuesday, the Minister of Economy Bruno Le Maire announced that the start of the summer sales was postponed from June 24 to July 15. "It is a significant advance", reacts on Europe 1 Francis Palombi, president of the Confederation of the traders.
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"It is very positive, even if it is a little insufficient to the nearest seven days," he explains. Indeed, the Confederation asked rather a postponement to July 22, so that the traders have more time to sell their stocks at the right price. A postponement to July 22, he argues, "would have allowed small businesses to sell normally for a month and a half at the normal price, after two months of containment and closure".
"We hope summer will be strong and hot"
Still, the government's decision is already "a significant step forward" and "an awareness" on the part of the state, adds Françis Palombi, who notes "listening" to Bruno Le Maire. "This will still allow, until July 13-14, to sell at the normal price, with perhaps some promotions on older items," he said, wishing only "that the rules of the game are fair."
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"We hope the summer will be strong and hot," continues Francis Palombi. And, especially for independent traders in city centers, "the sales will be an event," he said.