President of the Garment Traders Association (GTA), Sultan Allan, said the trade movement in the “White Friday” in the Arab world was “below ambition,” stressing that markets witnessed a decline by 30-50 percent, compared to last year’s sales.
In his interview with “Petra” on Saturday, he said despite the prior preparations and advertisements for the “White Friday” discounts, trading was not at “the hoped-for” level, adding that markets witnessed a “significant” quiescence about three weeks ago, as a result of the consumer’s decision to buy on the discounts day.
Allan said the main reasons for the delice lies in the consumer’s “weak” purchasing power, adding that foreign e-commerce websites attracted a “large” volume of buyers as a result of their “remarkable” discounts, which created “unfair” competition in the markets.
Foreign e-commerce applications attract a “large” proportion of buyers as a result of the “low” operational costs, customs and tax duties, which gave customers a price preference, as a result of the unfair customs tariffs imposed on Jordan’s garment sector, according to Allan.
Allan indicated that merchants were waiting for “White Friday” to achieve part of their ambitions, pay financial obligations and compensate for the losses incurred as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic-related repercussions.
To achieve better performance in the future, Allan called on the concerned authorities to conduct a “quick and immediate” review to find out and solve loopholes in the current policy, in addition to reciprocity with the exemptions granted to postal parcels, to make an even tax burden on all types of trade.
The White Friday sale started last Wednesday and will continue to Saturday.
Source: Jordan News Agency