Economists in Tunisia have been closely following the economic dynamics of the local markets, especially with the beginning of the sale season early this month.
They have also been wondering how these discounts would affect domestic consumption as one of the most important drivers of the economy in light of the economic slowdown witnessed by most economic activities.
These summer discounts will continue for six weeks, during which products related to the garment, footwear and household electronics sector are displayed.
Around 700 traders have been involved in this activity in the Tunisian capital, not counting merchants in other cities.
The deterioration in the purchasing ability of most Tunisians, the collapse of the Tunisian dinar and rise in the cost of living are among the factors that negatively affect the consumption pattern as a whole in Tunisia, said Head of the Tunisian Organization for Consumer Guidance Lotfi Riahi.
To make this occasion successful, it is essential that the products offered within the sale be of good quality so that the trader and the consumer benefit from it, Riahi said.
In this context, Kamal bin Ibrahim (employee) stressed the importance of advertising for a real discount season similar to that in European capitals.
He said that many shops only display the goods that are no longer in style or that no longer conform to people’s taste in fashion.
Unlike many shops that display local products, the discounts, which take place in a number of shops that sell international brands, are often well thought out and, in many cases, do not exceed 30 percent.
However, many shoppers buy from these shops.
Bin Ibrahim added that claiming to discount 70 percent of the products’ prices cannot fool many consumers.
