Clothing sector pins hopes on winter-driven demand

AMMAN — The Kingdom’s clothing and footwear imports amounted to around JD200 million in the first nine months of 2022, marking an increase of 28 per cent compared with the same period of 2021, according to a sector representative.

“Prices of winter collections will remain stable, and they will be displayed early next month,” representative of the clothing, footwear and jewellery sector at the Jordan Chamber of Commerce (JCC) Asad Qawasmi, told The Jordan Times.

He noted that the reason behind this year’s price stability is primarily due to the decline in freight rates.

During a press briefing on Sunday, Qawasmi pointed out that imported winter apparel is currently valued at JD55 million.

“The purchasing power of customers is still low, but I hope that now, with the change in weather, sales will gain some momentum,” Hala Abdullah, an owner of a clothing shop in Amman, told The Jordan Times over the phone on Monday.

As for Mahmoud Zaid, an employee at a children’s clothing store in Khalda, said that parents are not buying much for their children because in most cases, they rely on hand-me-downs.

“During September, sales have dropped at least 30 per cent, despite having constant promotions and discounts,” he said.