Clothing prices to remain unchanged despite drop of freight costs — JCC

clothes
(File photo: Ameer Khalifeh/Jordan News)
AMMAN — Prices of clothing will remain unchanged despite the global drop in freight costs, said Asad Qawasmi, the clothing, footwear and jewelry sector representative at the Jordan Chamber of Commerce (JCC).اضافة اعلان

According to Qawasmi, “during Ramadan and Eid seasons, clothing merchants kept prices unchanged although freight costs were increasing at the time.”

“At the beginning of Ramadan, the situation was good as the COVID-19 preventive measures had been stopped and general satisfaction prevailed. However, after Ramadan, liquidity declined and Jordanians started to focus on more important commodities, like food, health, and education, which made it more difficult for the clothing sector,” he added.

Not even tourists and foreigners visiting the Kingdom affected the local market positively, Qawasmi said, adding that “for the winter season, goods will be exhibited at the beginning of October,” so maybe sales will pick up.

“Until September 10, 2022, our imports have been estimated at JD200 million, a 27 percent increase over last year,” he stated.

President of the Textile and Readymade Clothes Syndicate Sultan Allan told Jordan News that “80 percent of clothing for the winter season has already been imported.”

These hefty figures suggest that big quantities of goods were purchased at high prices, which makes it difficult, if not impossible, for merchants to lower prices.

Moreover, Allan said, there are concerns that shopping in stores will be weak as “online shopping continues to thrive and the high sales tax continues to be levied.”

He argued that “shipments, which were imported last June and July were not affected by the global drop of freight costs. However, shipments, imported after that will certainly be affected and there could be a 2–3 percent decrease of clothing prices”.

Allan stressed that the period after Eid Al Adha has seen the longest recession, “for over 90 days”.

“Online shopping and weak government decisions have played a major role in the recession,” he said.


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