Retail employers: Rapidly moving towards near-general collapse of non-food retail, over 5,000 companies closed

 

"In an industry with more than 45,000 companies with a turnover of 81.55 billion lei, the lack of any real support from the authorities made more than 5,000 non-food retail companies close their doors last year. This is neither the peak nor an end point. We are rapidly heading for a near-general collapse of the non-food retail sector, which risks leaving more than 200,000 employees unemployed and causing a strong economic and social shock. We need a correct approach and concrete help, not promises. Their time is up. Without rapid and targeted support, without assuming a decision, including political, from decision-makers and members of the governing coalition, we are simply sinking," said Roxana Socaciu, RORETAIL's executive director, according to a press release.

 

In context, retail employers stressed that the reopening of stores with certain restrictions did not lead to the return of sales volume to a minimum level necessary for economic survival.

 

In their view, the textile and footwear industries are today among the most affected industries, with many factories being closed and retailers facing large stocks that cannot be sold. Estimates show that in this sector, sales have remained well below the level before the COVID-19 crisis, with declining sales in stores in recent months reaching averages of 60% - 80%.

 

The RORETAIL is an association founded in 2014, which groups over a thousand stores in Romania, in non-food and HoReCA retail in shopping centers. The organization also includes national and international brands, totaling over 12,000 employees.