With a lashing open letter, Mode Unie wants to shake up politics in the run-up to a new National Security Council.
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“Dear politicians, ladies and gentlemen,
It’s twelve o’clock. The water is on the lips of the fashion sector, for many in our sector the boat is slowly but surely sinking.
We were forced to close the doors during the eight best sales weeks of the season. At the reopening on May 11, strict security measures were taken in fashion stores, to date not a single complaint has been received regarding a violation of the security measures taken.
Shopping is therefore safe. We have now proven this for more than three full months. As in all sectors, public health is also a priority for us, but it is your task as a government to maintain the balance between the economic viability of sectors and the level of measures taken to protect our public health.
That balance is no longer there within the fashion sector. The winter collection is fully delivered, the invoices for this must be paid, the pieces must be stored. Sales have come to a standstill because consumers are afraid to go shopping. A shock that is fueled every week by negative reporting on your part.
That caution must be exercised in this exceptional time: of course. It seems obvious that a positive message should be sent when things are going well. Nowhere, however, do we hear positive signals from your side about the fact that shopping is safe.
We did not experience a crowd when it reopened, there was no headache during the sales, and in all stores it was ensured that the 1.5 meter could be maintained at all times.
Despite all this, measures for the retail sector were tightened, just before the start of the sales. By shifting the sales, we got the much needed breathing space to sell at a normal price for a month longer. However, the throat of fashion retailers and brand distributors is completely closed by the rule of individual shopping and many entrepreneurs are currently gasping for breath.
We can use our bubble to go to a catering establishment just next to the store, but shopping must be individual? In any case, we don’t understand. Consumers don’t get it either. Shopping streets remain empty, shops are full, invoices are piling up, bankruptcies and layoffs become more reality every day.
Ladies and gentlemen politicians, it is noon. Taxpayers’ money is being released for additional support measures for hard-hit entrepreneurs – and rightly so. Our demand for relaxation does not cost the taxpayer a single cent and keeps hundreds of fashion retailers out of bankruptcy and as many employees in employment.
Shopping is safe. Make individual shopping more flexible as soon as possible or watch our thriving Belgian fashion landscape slowly bleed to death. The choice is yours.”
Isolde Delanghe – Director Fashion Union
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