After the beginning of the year complicated for the traders of the whole of France, they were hoping to boost their sales during the six weeks of the annual summer sales, which are coming to an end this Tuesday, August 6 (with the exception of Corsica, the Alpes-Maritimes and Pyrénées-orientales, where they last until 20 August). However, the new modes of consumption seem to be increasingly weigh on the traditional commerce: shopping via the internet, promotions throughout the year... Of factors that, when coupled with economic conditions sluggish, leave the shops unsatisfied with their sales, but not pessimistic, however.

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according To two studies conducted by the chambers of commerce (BCC), Île-de-France, Ille-et-Vilaine, the balance sheet balances for summer 2019 is quite mixed, even disappointing in the two territories. In Rennes, the revenue obtained during the first part of the balances in 2019 was lower than that of 2018, 45% of the traders interviewed (over the same period). In Paris, this share rises to 54% of traders on all balances. The merchants denounced the more often days "very uneven", according to the report of the JIU Ille-et-Vilaine.

Nevertheless, 57% of traders parisian interviewed by the CCI Ile-de-France consider themselves to be rather satisfied with the results of the summer 2019, in particular in relation to the beginning of the season since January. In effect, the movement of the "yellow vests" was accompanied by an impact mass on the shops in the city, in particular.

The heat wave took its toll on sales

Overall, these reports show that the balances and heat do not make good bedfellows: in Rennes, 50% of the traders interviewed have found the attendance lower than the previous year during the heatwave of June. In Paris, these are 47% of businesses who believe that the heat wave has had a negative impact on their sales during the balances. The manager of a clothing store in the city center of Rennes, where we have seen record temperatures, says: "the heat wave has almost emptied our stores for several consecutive days, which is particularly problematic in the beginning of the balances, where we normally sell the most".

The online business pointed the finger

Also factor in the lack of success of the summer sales, online commerce is seen as a serious competitor by the physical stores during the sales. For 71% of traders parisians interviewed, the online trading represents a real competition. Some merchants explained that the heat also promotes the development of online shopping that allow consumers to stay at home, cool.

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in the Face of this trend that seems inexorable, the shops have developed strategies such as private sales before the sales or promotions throughout the year. This is the case for 73% of them in the capital. "Now, we take the advantage to make reductions quite regularly, in part to compete with e-commerce," says a manager of a large household appliance store in Paris.

balances reduced to four weeks in 2020

besides, there are many traders who consider the period of six weeks of balances too long. But this is the last time that France has been experiencing such a staggering balances, because the Law Covenant reduced from January 2020 the sales periods to four consecutive weeks. The good news for the 82% of professionals surveyed by the CCI Ile-de-France.

Despite a tense climate for the economy and trade of the French, 78% of the shop in paris surveyed are optimistic for the fall-winter season to come.

balances, do you really need? - Look on Figaro Live

Date Of Update: 06 August 2019, 00:00