Hard-pressed retailers in Europe and the US need to find the right balance between sales and profits this holiday season, or face deteriorating credit risk.
Retailers in many of the world’s biggest markets are pinning their hopes on holiday season sales, kicking off with Black Friday on 24 November. After three years of serious disruption, the sector is looking to the final weeks of 2023 to provide some much needed respite.
Covid lockdowns, soaring inflation and interest rate hikes have rocked consumer confidence and reduced spending power, with high property, food and fuel costs forcing many consumers to put non-essential purchases on hold. In the US and major European markets, retail spending grew slowly in 2022. In many of them, it is likely to contract in 2023.
