The textile sector improves its billing data during the year but has not yet managed to recover pre-pandemic sales. In 2023, they recorded sales of 11,021 million euros, 3.41% more but still below those registered in 2019, with 18,078 million euros, and very far from the figures that were reached between 2000 and 2006, the year in which exceeded 22,450 million euros, as reported by Acotex.
The fundamental reason is that Spaniards’ spending on clothing has fallen radically. From the 1,881 euros per family that were dedicated in 2006, in 2019 it had already been reduced to 1,256 euros. By 2023, the average expenditure per family remains at 922 euros, 4.89% more than the previous year but far from what was recorded in 2006.
Specifically, the Basques have been the ones who have spent the most on textile trade with an average of 414.84 euros per person, while the islanders (both from the Canary Islands and the Balearic Islands) have been the ones who have recorded the least sales, with an average of 223.72 euros per person.
The data does not seem to improve in 2024. The business association has indicated that in March 2024 the positive dynamic in the sector was broken with a drop of 7.9%, compared to the “slight” increases in January and February (1, 3% and 1.8% respectively).
The president of Acotex, Eduardo Zamácola, has described the fall in March as “catastrophic” and has explained that this decline is due to weather factors, however, he has warned that “something is doing wrong in the sector.”
Regarding the number of physical stores, the study has concluded that 100 establishments have closed at the beginning of 2024, compared to the almost 700 points of sale that had closed throughout the previous year, registering a total of 43,889 establishments this year.
The Community of Madrid, Catalonia and Andalusia have been the regions with the highest turnover share, with percentages “almost identical” to the previous year (17.40%, 16.29% and 15.14%, respectively). As for the regions with the lowest turnover share, the report has placed Ceuta, Melilla and La Rioja.
Likewise, the study has highlighted that tourists increased their spending by 25% in 2023 (108,662 million euros), 78% of their purchases were in fashion, this being the year in which tourism has recovered, exceeding the pre-pandemic figures.
By nationality, in 2023 Americans are the tourists who have spent the most in Spain (21%), followed by Argentines (10%), and Mexicans (18%). In this sense, the Canary Islands, Catalonia and the Balearic Islands continue to be the regions that have made the most sales to tourists and in Madrid only 12% of spending has been made on shopping, a percentage “very lower” than before the pandemic, according to the study.
