According to the survey, sales of the “textile and clothing” category fell 18.2% annually in November, but rose 1.2% in the monthly comparison, and they pointed out that the main problem is prices, because it was one of the sectors with the highest increases so far in the last year.
In this way, sales add up to five consecutive months of decline, despite which the accumulated figure for the year reflects an increase of 1.4% compared to the same period in 2021.
During the eleventh month of the current year, the only item that grew in the annual comparison was “Pharmacy and Perfumery”with a rise of 8.9%.
“On balance sheet, November was not a good month. The businesses continued to feel the lower purchasing power of the consumer, generating some concern. The proximity of the end of the year brings a moderate expectation of consumption growth, although diverging between the different items,” CAME said in a statement.
In November, sales of “Food and drinks” Sales fell 1.3% year-on-year, while showing no changes compared to last October, with which they accumulate a rise of 2.8% in the eleven months of the current year.
The SME entity pointed out in its report that “despite the fact that price increases slowed down in the month, businesses continued to feel the lower purchasing power of people.”
One of the elements that helped businesses was the start of the Qatar 2022 World Cup, which contributed, in part, to keeping sales relatively active.
in the category “Bazaar, decoration, home textiles and furniture”sales in November fell 2.7% annually and 1.9% in the monthly comparison.
Traders agreed that after Mother’s Day in October, retail sales for the sector this month went uphill, CAME said.
For his part, in “Shoes and leather goods” sales in November declined 5.3% annually and increased 1.7% compared to October.
In this last item, there are good expectations for December because the merchants believe that sales will improve with the holidays and the change of season.