Paris clothing stores have fallen by 63% in number since 2002, while sportswear outlets have increased by 67%, according to data from the Chamber of Commerce and Industry reported by the French newspaper Les Echos.
Vacant commercial premises now account for about 10% of retail space in central Paris, as online shopping and growing demand for second-hand clothing reshape the French capital’s retail market.
Children’s clothing stores recorded a 43% decline compared with 2002, while women’s clothing outlets fell 35%, according to the figures.
Céline Delacroix, secretary-general of the Chamber’s trade committee, told Les Echos that it was time to “sound the alarm” over the decline of clothing stores in the city centre.
The second-hand marketplace Vinted is France’s leading clothing retailer, reflecting the shift toward online resale platforms alongside the growth of discount chains.
Read: Paris Hilton Shakes Up Traditional Holiday Celebrations with Daring Christmas Photoshoot
Sportswear has moved in the opposite direction. The number of sportswear shops rose by 67%, a trend the “sneakerisation” of fashion, with trainers and casual clothing taking a larger role in everyday retail demand.
