«This year the Sardinians' thirteenth salary will go largely to bills and mortgages», announces Giuseppe Scura, general director of Confcommercio. «Regarding sales, the difficulties are different: there was an odd weather pattern, the cold arrived late, and the fashion, clothing and footwear sector is starting to "avenge" something now, that is, a month after the sales . Added to this is the fact that the tendency of customers to move increasingly online has led to a significant reduction for the traditional shop."
In Cagliari, in the shopping streets, there is not much excitement, and there are many shutters down with "for rent" signs. Many retailers offer loyal customers "private sales" with discounts of 20-30 percent.
«Unfortunately we are not selling enough», says a sales assistant who cannot appear, «the season so far is proving disastrous, it was hot until early December, Black Friday for many of us who don't "celebrate" it translates into a bloodbath, and with the winter cut in low-cost flights there aren't even tourists to boost the fortunes of our budgets."
The research offices of Confcommercio and Confesercenti, at a national level, calculate that for Christmas 2023, between 186 euros and 223 euros per person will be spent on gifts, more - in real terms, net of inflation - than last year. But the possibility does not concern everyone, for 84.1% of those interviewed they will be "very modest" holidays.
In Sardinia the situation is partially different, as Scura explains: «We have a per capita income that is significantly lower than the rest of the country, so what is usually spent in addition for Christmas, here goes with the handbrake on. We are doing the calculations, we will have the results shortly, but we already know that the amount that the Sardinians will be able to spend will be lower."
Cristina Cossu
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