Khaberni - The guild leader of clothing and footwear shop owners, Mr. Sultan Allaan, confirmed that the preparations for the winter season are complete, and that winter goods are available in sufficient quantities in retail stores and for wholesale traders, without any noticeable increase in prices compared to previous seasons.
Despite the market's readiness, Allaan revealed in press statements that the purchasing movement is "below average" and still "not convincing", attributing this primarily to the delayed drop in temperatures, which delays consumers' realization of the need for winter clothing.
Allaan linked the weakness of the local market to a deeper structural issue, describing it as the "bleeding" the sector has suffered for 10 years, which is the "tax imbalance" resulting from the regulation of postal parcels (international e-commerce).
The guild leader explained that the traditional commerce sector faces "injustice", with the "tax burden imposed on it being three times what is imposed on international e-commerce."
Allaan called for the immediate realization of "justice", saying: "At least the least of our demands is that the tax burden between traditional commerce and e-commerce be equalized, allowing consumers to choose."
He noted that other countries have abandoned this approach to protect their local traders:
America: Abandoned the exemption of parcels (up to 800 dollars) and made it "zero", equalizing between the two types of trade.
Turkey: Imposed custom duties of up to 30% on parcels from Europe and 90% from the rest of the world.
Gulf countries: All of them (UAE, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain) impose the same customs charges on parcels and traditional trade.
Allaan stressed: "Time is pressing us, and I hope that the Eid al-Fitr arrives without this imbalance existing, as the trader is exhausted from bearing this legal flaw for 10 years".
Health Warning: "Dangerous Chemical Residues" in Mail Order Clothing
The guild leader warned consumers of health risks in goods imported via postal parcels, confirming that they "are not subject to any chemical inspection", unlike traditional goods.
He said: "We warn, especially in children's clothing, of the presence of dangerous chemical residues.. Our goods passing through customs centers undergo precise laboratory tests by the Standards and Measures Association (up to 26 tests for footwear and 10 for clothing), making them the safest and most secure for consumers".
He also mentioned the widespread sale of counterfeit goods as genuine through these websites, and the absence of post-sale service and replacement guarantees, and sudden supply disruptions.
Allaan confirmed that the Ministry of Industry and Commerce is currently adopting the file for regulating the online market, expressing his confidence in the minister, but he called for the swift approval of amendments.
He reminded of the importance of the local trader who "rents the property, employs labor, and pays fees and taxes", pointing out that during the "Corona pandemic" foreign sites stopped sending, while "the local trader proved his responsibility and the citizen did not feel any shortage".
He concluded his message to the citizens: "Before you buy from foreign sites, think about your fellow countryman. Your dinar spent will stay inside the country and not leave it. Our goods today are competitive, strong, with better prices, and with greater warranty and safety."
