After a Christmas season that yielded "overall satisfactory" results, albeit concentrated on very specific dates, Mallorca's small retailers now face a winter sales season marked by "restrained consumer spending".
The president of the Afedeco association, Joana Manresa, sums up the general sentiment. "We expect a decent season, but without significant growth." There is a backdrop of cautious spending after Christmas and the persistent impact of inflation on basic goods.
The January sales officially kick off on January 7, but what was once a rigid sales season is now more flexible. Market liberalisation introduced by the Partido Popular Spanish Government of Mariano Rajoy from 2011 has meant that dates are no longer strictly adhered to in the way they once were. Small retailers have felt the impact of this because of the strategies of larger retailers. In addition, and has been remarked upon for several years, online shopping and growth of shopping malls have not helped.
The expectation is that this winter sales season will be short, with spring stock going on sale in early February. One boost is coming from the weather. Rain and low temperatures are likely to increase demand for winter clothing.
For large retailers, the Christmas season, in general, was a success. Antonio Sánchez Grao, director of communication at El Corte Inglés, says that sales were concentrated in very sharp peaks, especially during Black Friday and in the days leading up to Christmas Eve and Three Kings' Day. "The influx of customers on holidays has been very significant, which brings back to the forefront the debate about the limited retail opening hours in December despite high demand," he notes.
The consumer organization Consubal is meanwhile urging consumers to be cautious. It recommends planning purchases, sticking to what is truly needed and what the family budget allows. "Sales are a good time to buy at better prices, but you shouldn't be swayed by the promise of huge discounts," says its president, Alfonso Rodríguez. Buying an unnecessary product, however cheap it may be, "is always a bad purchase".