Traditionally, “Mantelsonndeg” marked a day when people travelled to Luxembourg City to purchase a new coat ahead of All Soul’s Day, to ensure they would be appropriately attired when visiting the graves of loved ones.
Nowadays, the event belongs to a number of Sundays with extended trading hours, with shops taking the opportunity to offer discounts and attract more customers before the winter sales.
The 2022 edition saw plenty of eager shoppers making use of the discounts on offer, although with the weather remaining unseasonably warm at over 20 degrees, new coats may not have been at the forefront of customers’ requirements.
The increase in footfall will have come as a relief to businesses in the retail sector, particularly those in textiles who suffered as a result of the pandemic lockdowns. Now, of course, the energy crisis and reduced purchasing power of the public may pose additional concerns for retailers.
The next opportunity for shoppers to profit from reduced wares will come around soon enough in Luxembourg, as the Grand Duchy has adopted the US tradition of “Black Friday” on 25 November, with retailers offering discounts to match their online counterparts. Afterwards, the next four Sundays will see extended trading hours for shops as we enter the Christmas period.
Finally, the New Year will see the winter sales officially open in January.
Report in Luxembourgish:
