Moderate spring sales for independent fashion retailers
Despite the warm and sunny spring, independent fashion retailers in Belgium recorded only moderate sales results, according to a recent survey by Mode Unie and UNIZO. Expectations for the upcoming summer sales, starting July 1st, remain similarly restrained.
“The dry and warm weather from March onwards sparked interest in spring collections, but unfortunately that enthusiasm didn’t translate into strong sales for the whole season” explained Isolde Delanghe, Director of Mode Unie.
Key figures from the survey:
- –0.6%: average decrease in sales compared to spring 2024
- –2.3%: decline in online sales
- 30% of retailers saw higher sales
- 36.3% saw lower sales
- 33.8% reported similar sales as last year
- 23.8% expect better summer sales than in 2024
- 52.2% expect sales to stay the same
- 23.8% expect lower sales
- 29%: average starting discount for the summer sales
Fashion retailers point to global uncertainty and sustained low consumer confidence as factors influencing spending. Many also express concern over shrinking profit margins and unfair competition from non-EU webshops, calling for government action on tax relief, simplified administration, and stricter controls on foreign platforms.
Mode Unie and UNIZO also urge consumers to support local shops, reminding them that money spent on foreign platforms does not reinvest in the local economy, jobs, or retail experience.
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