Black Friday brought a sales boom for electronics and appliance retailers but tighter budgets meant consumers were more reluctant to splash out, a leading retail lobby believes. “If people previously had €20 to spend, now they have €15,” Chamber of SMEs CEO Abigail Mamo told Times of Malta. Retailers selling so-called ‘brown goods’ – TVs, computers, phones – did well, though sales were spread out across November as retailers prepared offers ahead of the World Cup. Video: Times of Malta / Karl Andrew Micallef It was a tougher day for clothes stores, though. “The foot traffic was there, but people seem to have lower budgets than in previous years,” Mamo said. “High-end fashion retailers saw limited success. Fast fashion stores had a stronger day.” Maltese consumers have had to contend with sky-high inflation rates this year, as prices shoot up at a much higher pace than wages. The result has been a contraction in consumer spending, as people rein in their shopping urges. Mamo said that seemed to be reflected in sales patterns. “People seem to be buying things for their children, but making do with last year’s clothes for themselves.” Shoppers flock to Sliema Despite the dampened...
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