Lesser sales for fashion traders Het Nieuwsblad

The federation for independent fashion stores, together with Unizo, the entrepreneurial organization to which it is affiliated, surveyed 121 fashion traders to the results of the winter soldiers. It also appeared that 54.5 percent of traders sold less and 28.1 percent the same amount. The remaining 17.4 percent said they would sell more compared to a year earlier.

“The gray winter weather and the persistent negative reporting on (world) news were the culprits this sales period and put a strong damper on the mind of consumers,” says Isolde Delanghe director of Mode Unie in a press release.

Not a successful edition in other words, but according to Fashion Union, not all traders with a large stock remained. After all, when purchasing the 2024 winter collection, about three quarters of a few less than the previous winter season. On average, they bought 8.3 percent less.

Fashion Union also repeats the plea for a level playing field with foreign (web) shops, think of Temu or Schein. For example, the federation suggests a ban on free returns or enforcement against dumping practices.

Yet there is also hope for the end: the fashion traders expect the same turnover in the coming spring and summer season than in 2024.