Industry survey
Trade slowed even between the holidays
“Entry only with 2G”: According to their own statements, business between Christmas and New Year did not go well for many retailers in Germany. Photo: Oliver Berg / dpa
© dpa-infocom GmbH
According to the German Trade Association (HDE), retail business did not go well under pandemic conditions. The association is now calling for adjustments to the corona aid again.
The business between Christmas and New Year was also a disappointment for many retailers in German city centers.
“Especially where the 2G regulation applies when shopping, there are significantly fewer customers and sales remain deep in the red,” said the managing director of the German Retail Association (HDE), Stefan Genth, summarizing the result of a current industry survey among 1000 retailers.
“The situation remains difficult for many retailers, many businesses in the stationary non-food trade are fighting for their economic existence,” said Genth. According to the HDE survey, sales of stationary non-food retailers in the last week of 2021, where the 2G regulation applied and only vaccinated or convalescent people had access, were 29 percent below the pre-crisis level.
Where 2G access restrictions no longer applied, the decline in sales was comparatively small with a minus of eight percent, according to HDE. “Politicians must correct themselves and get rid of 2G in retail,” demanded Genth. Shopping is safe even without 2G.
With a view to the high losses of many traders, the HDE again demanded adjustments to the corona aid. For example, the hurdle for applying for funds must be lowered and the maximum limits for aid raised.