Significant Decline in Summer Sales in France Amidst Heatwave
France's summer sales conclude with a 5% decline in in-store sales amid competing private sales and extreme heat.
Key Points
- • Sales during the summer season saw a 5% drop in stores and 3% online compared to last year.
- • The heatwave discouraged shopping, impacting retail foot traffic significantly.
- • Paris experienced a rare 3% increase in sales, attributed to post-Olympics recovery.
- • Retailers express concerns over the shift in consumer behavior and competitive pressure from private sales.
The summer sales season in France, which closed on July 21, 2025, ended with disappointing results, reflecting a notable decline in consumer spending. According to reports from Retail Int. for the Alliance du Commerce, in-store sales plummeted by 5% and online sales decreased by 3% compared to the previous year (ID: 16056).
Despite the overall downturn, Paris stood out as an exception with a 3% increase in sales, likely benefiting from a revival in consumer interest following the disruptions caused by the 2024 Olympic Games. Contributors to the decline include a persistent heatwave, which significantly discouraged shoppers from visiting stores during extreme temperature days.
Yohann Petiot, the Director General of the Alliance du Commerce, stated that the relevance of the sales period seems diminished, as consumers may have shopped earlier due to favorable spring weather. Additionally, the rise of private sales, often touted for their competitive pricing, has further diverted attention from seasonal sales, diminishing their traditional allure.
Industry leaders like Pierre Talamon of the Fédération nationale de l'habillement and Yann Rivoallan of the Fédération française du prêt-à-porter féminin voiced concerns regarding waning consumer interest and the fierce competition posed by brands like Shein and Temu. They suggested that reconsidering the timing of sales to the end of the season could be beneficial in addressing these challenges.