Swedish clothing sales increase in February

Swedish clothing retailers' sales rose 6.1% in February and footwear trade rose 0.7% at current prices compared with the same month of last year, the latest index from the Swedish Federation of Commerce and Trade (Svensk Handel) recently reported. Sofia Larsen, chief executive of the Swedish Business Federation, said that the rise in sales could be a frustrating trend, and this trend is likely to continue, and the fashion industry is under pressure from all sides. The rising cost of living has made customers less able to spend, while rents in many stores have risen by more than 11% since the start of the year, raising fears that many stores and jobs will disappear.