Maxime Asseo 4:22 p.m., January 14, 2023

The winter sales, which started last Wednesday, show first "gloomy" results.

Inflation, purchasing power, war in Ukraine, Black Friday ... Pierre Talamon, president of the National Federation of Clothing (FNH) and fashion designer, explains to the microphone of Europe 1 the reasons for this inconclusive start . 

Discounts, all-out promotions, the winter sales started last Wednesday.

This four-week period is not immune to the inflationary context that affects all sectors of the economy, including the textile sector.

“The feedback I have from the regions and regional presidents who work for the Clothing Federation is very disappointing”, assures Pierre Talamon, president of the National Clothing Federation and fashion designer at the microphone of Europe. 1. "The results are very gloomy," he continues. 

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Purchasing power at half mast

A decline that is not new according to him, since the ratio of sales to annual turnover "falls from year to year".

The climatic context and generalized inflation do not help the growing lack of interest in the sales, quite the contrary.

"Obviously the purchasing power is not good, and at the war on Europe's doorstep worries everyone, including the consumer". 

Pierre Talamon also points the finger at the promotional periods which "remove meaning and readability at the level of the sales period when they begin".

In the lead, Black Friday, this promotional event straight from the United States, "supposed to last a day or a few days in November, but which ultimately extends over the whole month and launches pre-sales in a way", regrets the president of the federation.

“An economic model to review”

The question then arises of the relevance of the sales today, after a decline in the duration of the period from six to four weeks during the Pacte law in 2020. "The economic model needs to be reviewed", thinks Pierre Talamon before give an example of success: "I was discussing with the President Val de Loire and they did very well in terms of sales in December because there were local commercial operations with the agglomeration and the inhabitants. These local operations make it possible for them to get out of it".