Fashion items fell by 8.3 percent and shoes by 9.3 percent compared to the same month in 2024.
“Unfortunately, this is a very weak month for the fashion retail industry. At a time when many are already struggling with low margins, further losses are like a new blow. There is no doubt that the challenges continue to be great,” says Sofia Larsen, CEO of Svensk Handel in a press release.
May is an important period for the fashion retail industry as many usually shop for school graduations and summer wardrobes, but according to Svensk Handel, consumer purchasing power is “still not back at necessary levels.”
Cooler weather may have contributed to this year's decline – May was around 4–7 degrees cooler than last year's record warm May. Even salary payments, bank holidays, half days and red days may have affected it.
