Khaberni - The local market boasts large stock and varied types of citizens' needs for apparel and footwear, amidst stable prices and discounts.
The sector anticipates an improvement in purchase demand in the upcoming period, coinciding with Eid al-Fitr, as traders usually experience a surge in shopping activity approaching the last days of the holy month.
Member of the Board of Amman Chamber of Commerce, Asaad Al-Qawasmi, confirmed that the prices of clothing and shoes in the local market are stable and have remained so from previous seasons, due to the availability of large inventory and various goods meeting all needs, in addition to strong competition among traders.
He noted that Ramadan is considered one of the strongest, largest, and most important shopping seasons for apparel and footwear, upon which traders of the sector rely to boost sales, contributing to settling financial obligations. However, he confirmed that the demand for purchasing clothing and footwear remains weak.
Al-Qawasmi clarified that goods for the Eid al-Fitr season and part of the summer season have reached local markets and are available in quantities sufficient to meet market needs, adding that there is a surplus stock of summer goods. He noted that imports of clothing for the Eid season amounted to 90 million dinars, accounting for 60 percent of the Kingdom’s total annual clothing imports.
He stated that the demand in the apparel and footwear trade sector has been affected, like other commercial sectors, by the shortage of financial liquidity, other financial obligations incurred by citizens, and developments in online trading.
Al-Qawasmi further explained that the apparel trade sector has channels and trade lines with many countries, enabling it to import goods by land, especially from Egypt and Turkey, along with alternatives offered by the local industry. He expressed his hope that sea freight rates would not see any increases.
Meanwhile, importer and wholesale merchant Munir Diab confirmed that commercial movement in the apparel and footwear sector remains limited and has not reached the demand levels typically seen during festive seasons in past years. He noted that traders are waiting for the last few days prior to Eid.
Diab said: "The commercial movement is still modest and cannot be compared with previous years in terms of demand volume and sales figures, which show a clear decrease from the same period during the holy month".
Diab added: "Those working in the sector, including importers, wholesale and retail traders, have completed their preparations to welcome the Eid al-Fitr season, with most goods having reached the local market and being displayed in shops at competitive prices".
He confirmed the availability of goods for the Eid al-Fitr season in the markets in sufficient quantities and at prices very close to those during previous seasons, fitting the local demand. Most shop owners are making significant reductions and offers to attract shoppers.
Diab said: "Shop owners have high hopes for the upcoming few days, an anticipated salary payments and possible postponing of some entities and funds loan installments, which could lead to improved market performance and increase demand for Eid essentials, including apparel and footwear purchases".
The apparel, footwear, and fabric sector, which is one of the largest commercial sectors in the kingdom, includes approximately 11,000 establishments across the provinces, employing 63,000 workers from the Jordanian workforce. Currently, there are 180 clothing and footwear brands operating and investing in the local market.
