Status: 12/22/2021 9:27 a.m.
Many retailers are facing a double stress test shortly before Christmas: The global delivery bottlenecks are further reducing the range – and customers are reluctant because of Omikron.
During the high-turnover Christmas business of all times, the delivery problems in the retail sector worsened again significantly. In the monthly survey by the Ifo Institute, 81.6 percent of retailers stated that not all of the goods they ordered could be delivered in December. In November it was around 78 percent.
This means that retailers are faced with a double burden, explains survey leader Klaus Wohlrabe: “Retailers cannot offer all products. And in view of the high incidences, customers are reluctant to shop.” Because the fear of infection with the new Corona variant Omikron and the 2G rules are a burden for the Christmas business.
Electronics are difficult to deliver
Retailers of electronic household appliances and entertainment electronics are particularly affected by the situation. The global shortage of semiconductors has been affecting the production of electronics for months, manufacturers of game consoles, for example, have been behind schedule with production for months.
In the case of toy retailers, on the other hand, the situation has eased a little. Nevertheless, 77 percent of retailers there report missing deliveries. In comparison, the clothing stores have the fewest difficulties with deliveries. Nevertheless, not all of the goods ordered arrive at 62.6 percent of the shops there either.