Warm weather, winter fashion in Nghe An is sluggish
(Baonghean.vn) - This year's winter came late, along with the forecast of higher than average temperatures, the weather is basically sunny and warm, so fashion items such as warm clothes, shoes, boots and other accessories are sluggish.
Having researched the weather forecast for this winter before deciding to import goods, Ms. Nguyen Thi Sao Mai - owner of a men's fashion shop on Thanh Thai Street (Vinh City) only imported thin sportswear, a few windbreakers, and down jackets. However, up to now, warm clothing items have been selling very slowly, except for down jackets, no one has "opened the sale".
Ms. Sao Mai said: “I knew this year’s winter weather would be warmer than usual, but I didn’t expect that it was almost the beginning of the 11th lunar month and the weather would still be sunny, and I had to turn on the fan at home. The hot weather meant that very few people asked to buy warm clothes. Many types of sweaters and down jackets were unsold.”
Due to the prolonged hot weather, the sales of warm clothing items are sluggish, so many fashion stores have launched many attractive promotions: shocking discounts, buy 2 get 1 free, lucky draws... to attract customers. However, the number of customers shopping for winter clothing is very small.
“There has never been a year when winter clothes have been discounted as much as this year. There are items such as thick sweaters, down jackets, wool coats, trench coats... with prices reduced by up to 50%, even 70%. In previous years, this time only summer clothes were discounted, not winter goods. But this year it is the opposite, even though the prices are discounted, very few people ask to buy…”, said Ms. Phuong Mai Huong, head of the sales department of a fashion chain on Nguyen Van Cu Street (Vinh City).
In the traditional markets, clothing stalls are also in a similar situation. Items such as sportswear, woolen clothes, down jackets, felt, etc., to gloves, woolen hats, and scarves are all sluggish. Occasionally, people ask to buy, mainly to send to relatives studying or working abroad such as: Korea, Taiwan, Russia, etc.
“The prices of winter fashion products this year are lower than every year, but consumption is slow. Revenue in October and November is only 1/10 of last year’s. Currently, there is a lot of inventory. Meanwhile, summer clothes are selling steadily,” said Mr. Pham The Chien, owner of a clothing kiosk on the 2nd floor of Vinh market.
At this time last year, the weather was cold, and shoe stores were packed with customers due to the high demand for sneakers, fur-lined boots, and high-top boots to keep feet warm. This year, there has been no severe cold spell, so at shoe stores, the items are still sitting on shelves and in warehouses, with almost no one asking to buy them despite the steep discounts.
In addition, electric blankets, heaters, clothes dryers, mattresses, and down comforters are also in a slump. According to many fashion store and traditional market owners, the winter fashion market is sluggish for many reasons, such as heavy rain but no prolonged cold spell, so there is little demand for shopping.
On the other hand, the economic situation is difficult, income is decreasing, while winter clothes are a type of fashion that can be used for a long time, so this year few people are interested in new products. Many shop owners expect that during Christmas and New Year, the weather will be colder, people will go out more and the demand for shopping will increase.
