AMMAN — Demand for
winter clothing is expected to
remain weak throughout winter because of the weak purchasing power of citizens,
and the changed priorities to buying essential items.
اضافة اعلان
Jordanians, already with dents in their pockets,
have been hardly hit by lockdowns during the COVID-19 pandemic, which brought
economic activity to a halt.
As Jordanians reeled under a cash crunch, they were
dealt a blow under Russia’s war on
Ukraine, which raised the prices of fuel
derivatives, food, and hampered supply chains.
“The demand for clothing for the winter season is
still below expectations due to weather fluctuations, and the people’s poor
purchasing power”, said Asaad Al-Qawasmi, a representative of the clothing
sector in the Jordan Chamber of Commerce.
He said that there was “no increase in the price of
clothes, despite a recent rise in the price of raw materials”.
He pointed out that a decrease in shipping fees
mitigated the impact of the increase in clothing prices.
“The price of shipping a container reached about
$12,000 after the COVID-19 pandemic,” he explained. “However, today it reached
$2000–$4000.”
Despite the low demand on clothing, Qawasmi pointed
out that the prices of clothing for the winter season “will still be affordable
to everyone”.
Merchant Mohammad Maslamani, who owns a clothing
store in one of Amman’s malls, told
Jordan News that “weak demand for clothes
is expected.”
He explained that the stable prices had nothing to
do with the weak demand, “given that it is purely related to the weak
purchasing power of citizens, who are reluctant to spend money on clothes,
despite the discounts and special offers.”
“If the situation remains as it is, I expect that a
number of stores will close their doors,” he said. “Some stores had to shut
down during the COVID-19 pandemic, and others laid off their employees.”
He said other reasons include Jordanians opting for
e-shopping, buying clothes online and having them shipped in.
Clothing trader Anas Al-Khateeb told
Jordan News
that “I do not think there is a financial element there”.
“People are buying online from stores abroad and
having the items shipped in,” he said. “That may be less expensive than buying
clothes from the local market.”
He explained e-sellers “are not subject to high custom
duties and taxes, not to mention that they do not have to pay rent or salaries,
like Jordanian merchants”.
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