While the kickoff of the World Cup final between France and Argentina will be launched this Sunday at 4 p.m., French traders expect not to see a living soul in their stores.
However, the last Sunday before Christmas is an essential day for gift shopping.
“
It is certain that this will reduce the number of visits to stores during these hours
”, recognizes Yohan Petiot, general manager of the Alliance du Commerce.
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A trend anticipated by The Nines store in Paris, specializing in men's clothing, which has decided to close its doors from 3:30 p.m.
“
We estimated that there wouldn't be many people, so we might as well close the shop and go and watch the match ourselves
,” explains the store manager.
The question also arises for the manager of the Nodus store, in the 8th arrondissement of Paris: "
We wonder if our employees will be able to return home easily, with public transport, if France wins
", wonders the manager who anticipates a necessarily negative impact on her sales.
Despite this anticipation, the time is not for concern or criticism, on the contrary.
“
If we win, that will make the French happy and that can have a positive impact on their races
,” says Francis Palombi, president of the Confederation of Traders.
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And even if the match does not end with a victory for the French team, traders are still counting on a postponement of purchases that could not be made this Sunday at the end of the afternoon.
“
The French are going to organize themselves differently because Christmas will take place in any case.
They will be going to the stores more this Saturday and for the rest of the coming week
, ”predicts Yohan Petiot.
An optimism shared by most professionals.
In the Montpellier suburbs, the manager of the Celio store is not worried: “
Shopping will simply be postponed.
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