January sales begin overshadowed by Black Friday and online deals

January sales - or 'rebaixes' - have begun in stores across Catalonia, with businesses warning this period has come to be overshadowed by "foreign" campaigns such as Black Friday, as well as online deals.

Despite this, store owners hope to sell 10% more than they usual this month, especially as they have had trouble selling stocks of winter clothing and snow equipment following the warmest December in recent decades. 

"A lot of winter clothing shopping has not been done and many families will take advantage of the sales," David Sánchez, the head of small business association Comertia, told the Catalan News Agency (ACN). "Hopefully it will help save the winter season."

The fashion industry is particularly vulnerable to climate change, and Sánchez believes the high temperatures of the past few months have "not helped" stores. 

Clothing stores, he argues, will likely "apply aggressive discounts" to sell the stock they have not been able to sell so far.

Decreased purchasing power

Ana Jiménez, a professor of economics and business at the Open University of Catalonia (UOC), warns that soaring inflation has decreased consumers' purchasing power. 

"People will be more careful about their spending and only buy things they need," Jiménez said. 

And while inflation may have this effect, January is still a key time for Catalan businesses: an estimated 34,840 new jobs will be created across Catalonia to cover increased demand in stores, just under 12% more than last year according to recruitment firm Adecco's forecast.