The winter sales begin this Wednesday at 8 a.m., in a context marked by political and economic uncertainties. However, traders remain confident about the success of this essential commercial operation. In Nice and on the Côte d’Azur, separate dates are no more: markdowns are launched at the same time as in other major French cities.
“The winter sales could work well this year” according to Laure Brunet-Ruinart de Brimont, the general delegate of the Confederation of French Traders (CDF), which brings together 23 federations of independent businesses.
Several factors reinforce this optimism. The start of winter, marked by cooler temperatures than in previous years, encourages consumers to renew their equipment with sweaters and warm clothing. Furthermore, the slowdown in inflation works in favor of purchases: in the fashion sector, prices increased by only 1% in 2024, compared to 3% in 2023 and 6% in 2022, according to data from the Economic Observatory of the French Fashion Institute (IFM).
“The worst is behind us”, Yohann Petiot, director of the Alliance du Commerce, which represents department store brands, recently declared. However, uncertainties remain.
The unstable political and economic context, notably the absence of a clear budget, is weighing on household confidence. As Gildas Minvielle, director of the IFM Economic Observatory, recalls, “Clothing is not a priority for consumers when the economic climate is unfavorable, unstable, and lacks visibility.”
Despite these challenges, retailers and analysts hope that this winter sales period will mark a positive turning point for the sector.
