We are buying fewer and fewer clothes and household items like vases, pots and furniture as energy and food prices continue to rise. “We have noticed that consumers have become more reluctant in the past four weeks,” says Jan Meerman, general manager of INretail, the trade association for the sports, fashion and footwear industry, in a conversation with NU.nl .
“The first half of the year was very positive for many entrepreneurs, sales even exceeded expectations. But we have seen that the number of customers is decreasing, especially in recent times. In the sports, fashion and footwear sectors there is a decline of between 5 and 10 percent, “says Meerman.
According to INretail’s CEO, this is partly due to the decline in consumer confidence. Consumer confidence in our country fell to historic lows this month, statistics agency CBS announced last week. We have never been as gloomy as in September and we are mainly concerned about our financial situation.
“Also, there is skyrocketing inflation. Also, a lot of people have now been taken over, all of them invested a lot, for example, in the house during the crown period,” Meerman says.
The wage demands of trade unions are therefore unrealistic, Meerman says. For example, the CNV is asking for a 5 to 10 percent pay rise next season. The FNV also wants full-price compensation for employees, so they can maintain their purchasing power. This means a wage requirement of around 12%.
“Inflation is mainly the result of rising energy prices and employers are also affected. How can retailers in the retail sector afford such wage increases if they don’t have the fat on their bones because of it. of the crown period? “Meerman wonders aloud.
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