‘Business slow for garment traders despite upcoming holiday’

AMMAN — Consumers’ demand for clothes has dropped by 40 per cent compared to the same period last year, the president of the Garment Traders Association, Sultan Allan, said on Monday.

“The huge financial burdens borne by people are one of the main factors. For them, clothes are not a priority as they have expenses that are more important such as education and health,” Allan told The Jordan Times over the phone.

Last Thursday, Allan said the clearance of 132 containers carrying shoes and clothing worth JD7 million has been delayed at the Aqaba Container Terminal (ACT).

Moreover, another 80 containers were scheduled to arrive this week, he added, highlighting that Eid Al Fitr, the Muslim feast marking the end of the fasting month of Ramadan, is getting closer.

Jordanians traditionally buy new clothes for themselves and their children to celebrate Eid.

Containers that should have been cleared before Ramadan were also delayed although importers requested them before the fasting month to prepare for the demand, Allan told the Jordan News Agency, Petra.

He noted that merchants usually do not offer discounts at this time of the year because Ramadan is high season for them; however, the stiff competition has led them to announce sales this year.

“Merchants usually hold their sales before and after Ramadan.”

Allan said the government’s decision to disburse salaries ahead of Eid Al Fitr holiday does not make him optimistic about the sector’s sales.

“The decision might have a positive effect on the sector but the period is not enough for customers because it will be for a maximum of two days. The government could have paid the employees half of their salaries in mid-Ramadan so that they could prepare for the holiday,” he added.

He called on the government to support the sector and reduce the expenses of traders.

Allan said Jordanians spent around JD120 million on clothes last Eid Al Fitr, but he does not expect the amount to exceed JD70 million this year.