Mode Unie wants sales by appointment in fashion stores to be allowed from December 1 until the full reopening of the stores after December 13. After all, the sector federation calls the mandatory closure since 2 November a second major blow to the sector.
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Mode Unie points out that the fashion shops are full of a stock of winter items that cannot or hardly leave the house. “The fact that customers are allowed to pick up ordered goods from the store is a small boost, but in reality does not in the slightest lead to the sales needed to save the season,” says director Isolde Delanghe. ‘In any case, just like the summer season, we will also close the winter season with red figures. This cannot be changed by the mandatory closure. Whether the figures in the fashion sector will turn red or dark red, the government can still change that. ‘
Overwhelm
Currently, the stores have to keep their doors closed until December 13. An evaluation will follow at the beginning of December, which the sector federation wants to respond to. Mode Unie states that the mandatory closure until December 13th causes a double problem. The reopening then takes place in mid-December, just before Christmas and New Year’s Eve.
“This may lead to scenes like we saw last Saturday: an overrun in shopping streets,” said Delanghe. ‘This should be avoided in the context of public health. On the other hand, fashion stores will miss the crucial sales weeks in the winter season and, if the sales start on January 2, they will only have two weeks to sell at full margin before the start of the winter sales. ‘
According to the federation, this situation will lead to a large surplus of stock and serious financial problems for many entrepreneurs in the sector. By allowing sales by appointment from 1 December, a crowding out and the associated health risks must be avoided. The entrepreneurs must then again be given breathing space to sell their goods at a normal margin for a full month. Mode Unie would like to review the plan with the competent ministers David Clarinval and Annelies Verlinden.
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