Ioanna Mantzipa
Small and medium-sized enterprises are betting on the current good epidemiological picture so that the next two months will end with the best omens. Although there is concern and concern about what is happening internationally in rising commodity prices, fares, fuel and energy affecting every household and purchasing power, there is currently optimism in the retail trade.
Speaking to “F”, the general secretary of the Pancyprian Retail Association, Marios Antoniou, said that the Christmas period and especially the first twenty days will be decisive for the financial year of the companies while a landmark day, as he said, will play Black Friday.
Mr. Antoniou, when asked to answer whether the increases in products also affected the retail trade, noted that all the increases (essential products, fuel, electricity) burdened every household in Cyprus, emphasizing that this development caused concern in small and medium enterprises as purchasing power decreases.
He said that September and October moved at very good levels and this is due to the end of tourism. “Although the beginning of tourism was characterized as numb and disappointing, the end of tourism and especially these two months gave real breath to the tourist cities of free Famagusta and Paphos.”
READ ALSO: Which professions are in demand and what salaries they offer
Asked how the retail trade in clothing and footwear is moving, he said that small and medium-sized enterprises are currently at very good levels compared to 2019, which has been set as a milestone year. “We do not compare last year because of the pandemic and the then local lockdowns.
In relation to 2019, which was a year when we were in normalcy, I can say that we have not reached numbers of 2019 but we are at very good levels “.
Among other things, he was asked if a difficult winter is coming, with the secretary general. of PASYLE to mention that the month of December is the most decisive month of the whole retail trade which determines the whole year of a business. “It is the month of double turnover, due to the 13th salary and the gifts that the consumer will receive. It is a fortnight that will determine the results of the entire financial year of a company. “
He added, however, that in the retail trade there is concern and concern with businesses looking forward to Black Friday, the last Friday in November, which marks the Christmas season for stores. “We are waiting to see if these orders placed for Black Friday will come in full and I am referring mainly to electronic and electrical appliances, and if they will come on time without delays. There is a big issue around the world. “Large overseas suppliers, mainly of electronics and electrical appliances, due to the pandemic and declining production, have focused on high-priced products, leaving medium-sized products in second place.”
