The Union of Trade and Services Associations (UACS) of the Lisbon region was optimistic this Monday about Christmas sales, but concerned about the first quarter of 2023 due to the foreseeable increase in inflation.
“This year we have great expectations, we are out of the pandemic, it is a different year, but we are also concerned because families are already experiencing a sharp contraction since September in their purchasing power when they go to the supermarket. The increase in prices is having a strong impact on homes”, Carla Salsinha told Lusa.
The president of the board of directors of the UACS recalled a recent survey that reported that Families are thinking about spending less on Christmas shopping.
Families are thinking of using the subsidy to save for what is to come and the dedication to Christmas shopping will be less, for fear of what is to come. People are afraid of the interventions of economists, commentators about the next three / four months with high inflation, ”she highlighted.
According to Carla Salsinha, in addition to basic necessities, families will reduce expenses such as clothing and books.
“Retailers have been telling us that people are still buying, but looking for the cheapest. However, we have high expectations because Christmas is the peak time for commerce, but on the other hand it is a double-edged sword… with these prospects for 2023 let’s see if Christmas will not be the time when families break tradition . consumption,” he said.
Despite this, indicated Carla Salsinha, the trade also has strong expectations for the beginning of the year due to the sales season.
“Then we have sales, which are another time when people, in terms of higher-value goods that are not essential, take the opportunity to buy. The first three weeks of January are always with strong consumption because people take advantage of the sales,” she said.
But, for now, the president of the UACS says that expectations are high, especially since this Monday the Christmas lights will be turned on in the city of Lisbon and the traditional 30-meter-high pine tree will be inaugurated in Praça do Comércio .
Carla Salsinha said that in recent years the city’s Christmas lights were turned on on November 24, but this year that did not happen.
It is always the noblest time for the city and most important for commerce and many national tourists, our Portuguese who live outside of Lisbon come to the city on purpose to see the Christmas lights. These are moments of great influx to the city, but following the recommendation of the Government, the Lisbon City Council decided to turn on the lights only now and we, the commerce, despite being a cost for us, understand that we are in an atypical moment. We have to make our contribution,” he said.
Regarding the year 2023, Carla Salsinha says that “it will be a great test” since the sector depends on the economic circumstances in which families find themselves.
The mayor of Lisbon, Carlos Moedas, and the president of the UACS will be present this Monday next to the Christmas tree in Terreiro do Paço for the official start of the Christmas lighting in the city of Lisbon.
This year, the Lisbon City Council opted to turn on the lights later and reduce the time of Christmas lighting to save on energy consumption.
Source: Observadora
