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🇧🇪 Belgium /Economy & Trade

Cooler temperatures boost sales start in Hasselt

From VRT NWS · () Dutch

Translated from Dutch, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Context piece
  • Retailers in Hasselt, Belgium, reported a good start to the sales period, attributing it to pleasant weather after a recent heatwave.
  • Shoppers found the cooler temperatures ideal for browsing and trying on clothes, contrasting with the previous week's excessive heat.
  • Despite some shoppers not specifically seeking sales, the overall atmosphere was positive, with expectations for continued business over the weekend.

The start of the sales period in Hasselt, Belgium, has been met with a "pleasant bustle" rather than an overwhelming rush, according to local retailers. Merchants are reporting a positive beginning to the sales, anticipating continued success throughout the period, especially with the upcoming weekend and a planned shopping Sunday.

It is ideal shopweer and that goes on for a while.

— Philippe MassaDescribing the favorable conditions for the sales period.

"Ideal shopping weather" is contributing significantly to the favorable start, according to Philippe Massa of the Hasselt merchant collective. He noted that the sales began on a Wednesday, which is typically beneficial for business. The current temperatures, around 20-25 degrees Celsius, are a welcome change from the oppressive heatwave of the previous week. "Last week it was too hot to sit on a terrace, to go shopping or try on clothes. Now it is much more pleasant to be in the city center," Massa said.

Last week it was too hot to sit on a terrace, to go shopping or try on clothes. Now it is much more pleasant to be in the city center.

— Philippe MassaContrasting current weather with the previous week's heatwave.

Shoppers echoed this sentiment. "It's not too hot, with a pleasant breeze, ideal weather for shopping," said Nadia, who was browsing but hadn't yet found a specific sale item. She added that she had already purchased a new collection item she saw online. Others, like Jeanine and her wife, have already made several purchases. "I feel the discounts are already high for the start of the sales, I will take advantage of that," Jeanine commented, indicating she was far from finished shopping.

It's not too hot, with a pleasant breeze, ideal weather for shopping.

— NadiaA shopper's positive assessment of the weather for shopping.

While some, like Corella, managed to snag a discounted pair of shorts and a t-shirt, she noted she had already bought a lot during a previous buy-one-get-one-free promotion. Jacqueline from Mol was in Hasselt more for general browsing than specifically for sales, stating she would only buy if something caught her eye, otherwise waiting for the new collection. Despite varied shopping motivations, the overall mood among retailers and shoppers points to a successful and comfortable start to the sales season.

I feel the discounts are already high for the start of the sales, I will take advantage of that.

— JeanineA shopper expressing satisfaction with early sale prices.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by VRT NWS in Dutch. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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