Two federations of independent traders asked the government on Tuesday to postpone the opening of the winter sales to the end of January, due to the disruptions in their activity due to the health crisis.
"
The Confederation of traders of France (CDF) and the Tradesmen of Metropolis of France (CAMF) unite to ask for the postponement of the date of the winter sales at the end of January
", to Wednesday 27 or possibly to Wednesday 20, due to the closure imposed on so-called non-essential businesses during the second confinement, write these two organizations in a joint statement.
Read also: Disappointing, the sales did not help ready-to-wear
“
The stocks of these stores are at their highest and have been paid for weeks to suppliers.
It is therefore vital for these businesses to be able to sell at '' the right price '', without price reduction, for several winter weeks in order to be able to replenish cash flow and assume the costs incumbent on them,
”explain the CDF and the CAMFs. .
Winter sales usually start in France in the first half of January.
"
The traders must be fixed as quickly as possible in order to be able to organize themselves
", also underline the two federations.
This year, the government had already decided to postpone the summer sales for three weeks due to the pandemic.
The objective was to take into account the situation of small traders, who needed "
time
" to "
replenish
" their cash flow without breaking prices.
The stores were able to start the discounts in mid-July.
This postponement "
was deemed beneficial by all independent traders, with the exception of certain traders located in the capital
", underline the CDF and the CAMF, which also call on the executive to "
have a real reflection on the future of the sales, with why not another formula or finally a harmonization at European level
”.
Sales have been less successful in recent years due to the increase in promotional operations and private sales.
Read also: Sales: fashion brands forced to reinvent their model
After a first consultation at Bercy of all the players in the sector Thursday, November 26, a second consultation should take place this week, said Alain Griset's cabinet to
Le Figaro
.