(Finance) – False start for the 2024 winter sales in Genoa and, on the other hand, it couldn’t be otherwise. The regional president Fismo Confesercenti draws up a very first assessment Francesca Recinethat explains: “We are already talking about an eventor which, for years, has lost much of its appeal due to the continuous promotions carried out under the pressure of large-scale distribution and online, if we then add the heavy rain that has fallen on Genoa throughout the day, and especially in the morning, it is logical that the results could not be exciting.”
“To impact on this I’m starting slowlyor – continues President Fismo – also the location at the beginning of a long weekend, which many have taken advantage of for a few days out of town and which, precisely because of the bad weather, has so far not been compensated by the influx of tourists or visitors in type. However, we remain confident that temperatures will inevitably drop, and therefore many will take advantage of the sales in the coming weeks to purchase winter clothing. A trend which, on the other hand, has already begun to be seen from the positive acceleration in sales recorded around Christmas”.
“Having said all the now well-known difficulties linked to a start date that is too earlya, and with respect to which Fismo will continue to fight so that the sales really return to being at the end of the season, the Ispsos survey commissioned by Confesercenti at a national level – Recine remarks in conclusion – has certified that, despite everything, as many as 83% of consumers continue to prefer physical shops, and in particular local shops, compared to 51% who also plan to purchase online: the customer, in fact, continues to recognize the value of professionalism and quality that only fixed-location shops can offer, even more so in a period in which purchasing, even on sale, is increasingly more careful and thoughtful”.
Broadening our gaze to the region, the impressions are however confirmed both in the hinterland and on the coasts: «It’s a slow start, but we expect growth between Saturday and Sunday», reports Tiziana Castagnetta, president of the Civ Il Ninfeo di Busalla. «First data in line with those of last year in the Eastern Riviera, although the rain penalized pedestrian areas and historic centres», reports the Fismo provincial president, Maurizio Grassi, from La Spezia. For everyone, however, a first reliable assessment will only be possible starting next week.