France year-end review 2023: Towards subsidised clothing & shoe repair

In June 2023, France’s consumer price index (CPI) increased by 0.2 per cent over (-) 0.1 per cent in May, while seasonally adjusted consumer prices stayed stable, after declining 0.2 per cent in May. On y-o-y basis, consumer prices grew by 4.5 per cent during the month. For the same period comparison, the prices of manufactured goods increased 4.2 per cent (+4.1 per cent in May). The prices of clothing and footwear increased at a brisker rate than in the previous month at 4.9 per cent after 2.6 per cent, notably due to a lag in the calendar of the summer sales. However, the core inflation decreased, y-o-y, reaching 5.7 per cent in June 2023, after 5.8 per cent in May. The harmonised index of consumer prices (HICP) rose by 0.2 per cent in June over May’s (-) 0.1 per cent, while the y-o-y increase was 5.3 per cent after 6.0 per cent in May.

In September, the exports of textiles, clothing, leather and footwear reached €3,139 million, increasing 5.3 per cent over €2,980 million in August. Between 2000 and 2023, exports of textiles, clothing, leather and footwear in France has averaged €1,772.23 million, but reached all-time high of €3,705 million in March 2023.

Subsidised fashion repair

France is estimated to throw away 700,000 tonnes of clothing every year, two-third of which end up in landfills. In order to cut waste and pollution from its textile industry, the ministry of ecology in France introduced a scheme that will subsidise repairing clothing and shoes. The ministry initiated the response by a French private organisation called ‘Refashion’ to start the scheme. From October, people could claim back €7 for shoe repairs at cobblers, and €10 to 25 for the cost of mending clothes in workshops joining the scheme. Through this scheme, the government aims to promote sustainable practices and reduce the carbon footprint of the fashion sector. The bonus will be available for the next five years from a total fund of €154 million. Refashion estimated about 56 per cent of the donations could be used again while 32 per cent could be recycled into something new.

ALCHEMPro News Desk (WE SB)