The Colombians are not so encouraged to shop at Christmasin line with the forecasts made by traders that the season will not be better than that of 2021.
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A survey presented by the National Federation of Merchants, Fenalco, shows that 40% of those consulted will reduce their budgets for giftswhile 36% stated that they will maintain the same amount at the end of 2021.
For his part, only 24% indicate that they will increase their budget.
To these data, it is added that more than 61% have decided to reuse Christmas decorations from previous years. Only 22% decided to renew them.
The survey also reveals that 64% of those surveyed will not travel at this time31% will go out to visit Colombian tourist destinations and 5% will leave the country.
The president of Fenalco, Jaime Alberto Cabal, points out that these data demonstrate the forecast that the sector has made regarding lower sales than last year for these last weeks of 2022.
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The union leader highlighted the survey that 55% are allocating a budget from $400,000 when last year it was from $500,000.
A 17% said they will spend up to $200,000 and 29% will allocate more than $800,000.
“This shows that in pesos and, surely, in units, there will be a lower performance in December than the previous year,” he commented.
And he assured that “If we add to this that there was no day without VAT – which was scheduled for December 2 but was canceled by the new government – 75% of Colombians regretted not having been able to buy their December gifts with 19% less”, he assured.
Most of the respondents, and36% affirm that they prefer to do their shopping between December 1 and 15.e, 20% are inclined to do them between the 16th and the 24th of December itself. Regarding the purchase preference, by product category, clothing, footwear and accessories have the first place, in the opinion of 32%.
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They are followed by toys and video games (17%), ranch and liquors -including anchetas (12%). Then there is the travel category which, according to the survey, is growing significantly (11%).
then there are technological items (9%), household products (7%), beauty products (7%)gift vouchers (7%), jewelry, costume jewelery and watches (6%).
In the last places of preference to give away appear sports items (4%), books, subscriptions to newspapers and magazines (4%) and cards or stuffed animals (3%).
A 47% of Colombians make their purchases in specialized stores or warehouses by department, taking advantage of the fact that organized commerce has activated large discount campaigns to compensate for the failed Day without VAT, according to Fenalco.
It is also highlighted that e-commerce has gained more space among consumers.
In fact, according to a report by Linio, Colombians would be spending between $350,000 and $450,000 on Christmas products and decorations.
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