In October, fashion retailers' sales stabilised, except in Paris

After an exceptional growth in sales for fashion retailers in France recorded in September, with a growth of 24.5%, the month of October was quieter but still showed positive results. The sales figures for stores increased by 0.8% compared to October 2023, according to the Retail Int. panel for the Alliance of Commerce, supported by strong performance in the premium segment and a marked dynamic in Paris, where fashion chains saw a significant growth of 9.3%, largely due to a rebound in tourism. However, results vary depending on the types of retail locations in France. Stores in retail parks and commercial zones experienced difficulties with a 5.1% drop in sales, while outlets also declined by 2.4%. Stores located in peripheral shopping centers remained stable (-0.8%), while those in city center shopping malls grew by 3.7%. The highest growth was seen in high street stores in city centers, with a notable increase of 8.3%.

In October, foot traffic to fashion retailers' stores increased by 1.3% compared to the previous year. The Alliance of Commerce highlights that store traffic has been positive for the third consecutive month, indicating a return of customers to physical stores. Yohann Petiot, General Director of the Alliance, is optimistic and hopes that this momentum will continue during the crucial holiday season for retailers. The only less encouraging indicator is the decline in online sales, which fell by 1.8% in October compared to 2023. Over the first ten months of the year, web sales have decreased by 2.2%, while in-store sales remain stable with a 0.1% increase compared to the same period last year. In a context where the fashion budget of the French has decreased and where second-hand fashion is (fortunately) becoming an increasingly important trend among French fashionistas, these figures are clearly a positive sign for retailers in France and beyond.