Business · Economy · 11 hrs ago
French clothing sales fell 15% in September as warm weather curbed demand
Clothing sales in France fell 15% in September 2026 compared with September 2025, according to figures from the French Fashion Institute.
Unusually warm weather discouraged winter purchases: September was France’s second-hottest on record, with an average temperature of 20.3°C.
The cost of living also constrained shoppers, who have had less room in their budgets for new clothes.
The monthly drop was similar in size to the decline recorded across 2020, when stores temporarily closed during Covid-19 lockdowns.
Sales were 16.5% below September 2019 levels, before the pandemic.
Another industry measure put the September fall at 17.6%, and the figures show the clothing market remains under pressure.
French clothing sales fell 15% in September 2026 compared with September 2025, according to the French Fashion Institute.
The institute said unusually warm weather weighed heavily on sales, as consumers had little desire to buy winter clothes.
September’s average temperature was 20.3°C, making it the second-warmest September in France since records began in 1900.
The institute said sales were 16.5% below September 2019 levels.
- Who
- French clothing retailers and consumers.
- What
- Clothing sales fell 15% in September compared with the same month in 2025.
- When
- September 2026.
- Where
- France.
- Why
- Warm weather reduced demand for winter clothing, while the rising cost of living also constrained consumers.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
French clothing sales fell 15% year over year as temperatures averaged 20.3°C.
Retail Int. reported a 17.6% decline for September for the Alliance du commerce.
The French Fashion Institute published its September sales figures.
- Sales change
- Down 15% year over year in September 2026
- Temperature
- 20.3°C average in September 2026
- Temperature ranking
- Second-warmest September since measurements began in 1900
- Comparison with 2019
- Sales were 16.5% lower than in September 2019
- Retail Int. estimate
- Down 17.6% in September, reported on 5 October
What people are saying
the summer-like weather weighed heavily on sales
consumers did not feel like buying winter clothes