THE smaller merchants are exhibiting their wares. Promotions and sales in the larger stores are being advertised on posters and in shop-windows in the centre of Malaga.
Everywhere can be seen offers such as “30 per cent discounts on handbags”, “spring sales “, “up to 40 per cent discounts”or “all items at 20 per cent discount”. Stores cannot wait for the seasonal sales, which start on July 1,to get rid off the accumulated stock and give consumers an incentive to buy their goods in these difficult times.
According to retailers from various stores, such as Tapioca and El Caballo, all business have been affected by the general decline in trade and have had to bring their sales forward. “We prefer to earn less but secure a sale”. The shoe shop, ‘Para ti’ in the Plaza de Felix Saenz, had to reduce their prices to make way for the launch of their new shoes. A strategy the retailer has never implemented before. But everyone is aware of the global financial crisis and retailers, unsure of the future, are having to change tack to encourage consumer spending.
The president of Fecoma, Enrique Gil, stated that the economic crisis was not the only problem and that the rainy spring, even if it benefited other sectors, didn’t favour shopping. He predicted that the problem would persist for the foreseeable future. |
