Khaberni - The delay of the winter solstice in the Kingdom and the continuous mild weather have cast a shadow over the local apparel sector, which is experiencing a clear recession in the demand for winter clothing, according to workers in the sector.
These workers confirmed that the continued high temperatures have prevented citizens from making their purchasing decisions, despite traders launching winter season collections, causing significant losses, according to Al-Ghad.
Expectations of improved demand for clothing with decreasing temperatures
Workers suggested that clothing prices during the winter season will remain at their previous levels, with a slight decrease possible on some items, while these workers also expect that the demand for clothing will improve in the coming period with forecasts by the weather department of decreasing temperatures and rainfall in the upcoming days.
At the same time, traders complained about the ongoing problem of postal parcels, which have taken up a large part of the local clothing market and are threatening the sector's continuity.
It is noted that the number of clothing and footwear stores across the Kingdom is about 15,000, employing approximately 69,000 workers, most of them Jordanians.
Weak Demand for Winter Clothing
The head of the Garment, Fabric, and Footwear Traders Syndicate, Sultan Allan, said that the demand for winter clothing in the markets is very weak due to the delay in winter.
He added that stable temperatures and their relative rise on some days have decreased citizens' desire to buy, noting that the prices of winter clothes are still stable at last season's levels.
Allan explained that the increasing reliance on purchasing via postal parcels has led to a decline in demand by about 10%, calling for a review of this phenomenon due to the damage it causes to fair competition for local traders.
Allan expected that commercial offers for buying clothing and footwear will pick up in the coming days, especially with forecasts of decreasing temperatures and rainfall.
Price Stability Despite Weak Demand
On his part, Asaad Qawasmi, a member of the Amman Chamber of Commerce and an investor in the sector, confirmed that the prices of winter clothing are generally stable, but they may vary between provinces.
He pointed out that the delay in the season and citizens' anticipation have negatively reflected on the sector as the preparations made by traders did not help in revitalizing the markets or increasing sales.
He estimated the sector's import volume for the winter season of clothing, footwear, and fabrics at about 95 million dinars, the same as in previous years, while expecting market movements to improve with decreasing temperatures and upcoming rainfalls.
Postal Parcels Threaten the Sector
Ehab Qadri, representative of the leather and textile industries in the Jordan Chamber of Industry, agrees with the above, confirming weak local demand and a relative fall in prices due to competition among traders.
He noted that the national industries account for about 43% of the clothing market, with an aim to increase this percentage, stating that an improvement in domestic commercial activity directly reflects on the clothing industry.
In contrast, Qadri mentioned that Jordanian clothing exports have increased by about 3% since the beginning of the year, with plans to double them later, while also warning of the ongoing issue of unregulated postal parcels.
