Arthur Pereira, edited by Solène Leroux 06:49, June 25, 2022

Since Wednesday, traders have lowered the prices of a good part of their articles, but three days after the start of this period of reductions, stores are struggling to attract customers.

Europe 1 went to meet traders and customers during this first weekend of sales.

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It's time to revamp your wardrobe!

It's the first weekend of the summer sales.

Since Wednesday, traders have lowered the prices of a good part of their articles, but three days after the start of this period of reductions, stores are struggling to attract customers.

The shops have been increasingly neglected since the Covid-19 crisis, but some still have to repay their loan, pay their rents and charges.

Europe 1 went to meet traders and customers on the eve of this first discount weekend.

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“Too many promotions before” the sales

"This start of the sales, these are not sales, it's nothing at all, it's catastrophic", laments Mr. Lalhoue, owner of a ready-to-wear shop.

Behind his wooden counter, a hanger in his hands, he is revolted.

In 34 years, he has never seen this.

"There are no customers, people are not there, they are not interested," he says.

"The problem is that there are too many promotions before [the sales]. We have to stop making privilege sales, private sales: we have to stop all that," claims the manager.

Cascading promotions throughout the year, but purchasing methods that have also evolved.

Many Parisians, and French people in general, no longer go on sales.

"When I need clothes, I go there. There, I don't need clothes, so I'm not going to go there," said this Parisian.

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 Purchasing power: will the summer sales be the victims of inflation?

More the same habits

"I still buy a lot more online because it's easier, there's no need to travel," agrees another.

For her part, this Parisian has changed her consumption habits: "I prefer to invest in the work on my house, for example, or save money."

Behind, it is the local shops that are suffering.

Sonia, manager of a shoe store, cashes -70% activity compared to 2019. For her, only one possible outcome now, "is to sell and try to do something else": "But not trade, since it's over" now, she assures.

Last year, the trader even had to part with two of her employees.