Sandals discounted at 20% off, a bikini sold off at 70%… The traditional summer bargain event starts this Wednesday, June 28 at 10 a.m., in stores and on the Internet. The summer sales will run until July 25 inclusive in a large part of the territory. In mainland France, only Corsica is an exception, this period starting on July 12 until August 8.
Battered by inflation, will the French give free rein to their shopping desires? According to a survey carried out by Ifop for Spartoo, nothing is less certain, and the lack of interest of consumers for this period of good deals is confirmed. Buyers will therefore be less likely than usual to rush to the store: 27% of those surveyed say they are giving up the summer sales, a proportion up 10 points compared to 2021. Similarly, nearly 30% of they will take out their credit card less easily, determined to spend less than in previous years. Notably, a majority of people under 35 will shun discounts or reduce their purchases. Conversely, only a tiny minority of customers – 3% of French people – intend to devote an increased budget to the sales.
Unsurprisingly, the average basket envisaged by customers is down, settling at 124 euros against 171 euros in 2021. Yet more inclined to give up sales, young consumers should spend a little more than their elders, i.e. 147 euros in mean.
Sign of the evolution of consumption patterns at work for several years, it is on the Internet, not in stores, that respondents hope to benefit from the best discounts. A little less than half of them will give their preferences to e-commerce, a figure that has been steadily increasing since the health crisis. Especially since consumers have become accustomed, thanks to Black Fridays and other private sales, to have fun online.
The proliferation of these ephemeral promotions partly explains the desacralization of traditional sales periods. More perhaps than inflation, since the sales are also an opportunity to equip yourself at a low price. 41% of respondents say that the price hike will have no impact on their purchases, although the economic situation could lead them to favor useful purchases over “pleasure” expenditure. “Inflation is as much a risk as an opportunity for traders”, summed up Yohann Petiot, the general manager of the Alliance du Commerce (Zara, Kiabi, Printemps) at the start of the winter sales last January. .
This previous meeting, apprehended by the trade sector, then turned out to be better than expected for a certain number of brands. It remains to be seen whether this trend will repeat itself this time around.