THE first weeks of summer sales have reportedly been slow for businesses in Almeria. According to local shop-owners, the economic crisis is keeping people from spending money on clothing. Small businesses are suffering the situation more than larger chains, and are struggling to stay open. Despite discounts of up to 70 per cent, shopkeepers have not been able to lure as many clients in this year, making this the worst of many summer sales campaigns.
Apparently the economic crisis is not only affecting the amount of money people are spending, but also what they are spending it on. Mojacar resident Isis, and owner of a handmade clothing line that bears her name, said that “sales are going even worse than the rest of the year” and also that “people don’t value quality handmade products anymore, all they want is something cheap to use and throw away.”
Silvia Gomez, owner of clothing store Paprika in Roquetas de Mar said “the sales are more or less the same as last year, the problem is that we’re not selling throughout the rest of the year, so it doesn’t really show.”
Overall sales indications have shown that this season’s business levels are disappointing, and most business owners blame it on the fact that most people have tightened their belts. Unfortunately they are reusing the one they bought last year.
