In Hilde Binder’s “Handarbeitsstüberl” in Grafing there is a lot of activity again. Since the 2-G regulation for Bavarian retail was lifted, the situation in here has eased. Before that, the work was rather stressful. “It was terrible during 2G,” reports the owner. There was a lot of back and forth between checking evidence, serving unvaccinated and click-and-collect customers at the back door, and advising customers in the store. Since the regulation no longer applies, things have been going better again. Not like before the pandemic, but overall Binder is satisfied with the situation. “And I’m glad and happy that I can let everyone in again,” she says.
Petra Behounek from the “Drachenstube” in Ebersberg also sees the elimination of the 2-G regulation as a relief. In her experience, customers are still more cautious than before the pandemic, but at least there are impulse purchases again, now that customers can be inspired in the store again. Christmas was also quieter than usual in the Drachenstube. However, Behounek is optimistic about the next few months. “I think it’s going to get better,” she says. “When the numbers go down again and the weather improves.”
The fashion house Schug is also optimistic. Here one believes that the great advantage over other shops and especially online shops lies in the good customer loyalty. Knowing the names of the customers, making them a coffee and being able to advise them individually is particularly important after almost two years of the pandemic. The enthusiasm and desire for shopping, the ambition to leave the house and enter a shop, is still not really felt, as boss Marion Schug reports.
In the toy shop “Der Hampelmann” in Grafing, online orders have increasingly been seen as competition since the beginning of the pandemic. Now that vaccination and recovery certificates no longer have to be checked, shopping in person is less complicated again, but online orders have nevertheless increased in the past two years. It is particularly annoying when a customer first asks for advice in the shop and then orders the product on the Internet, explains an employee. Above all, because it’s only cheaper on the Internet because you don’t pay for advice. “If people behave like this, they will destroy retail itself, even more so than the pandemic.”
A beautiful display window decoration should attract customers
Maybe that’s why Karin Artmaier from the “Boutique Helga” in Ebersberg decided against sending her products or offering them for sale online. She doesn’t even want to lure her customers to online platforms. Instead, since the beginning of the pandemic, she has endeavored to redecorate the window of her boutique as often as possible to visually draw the attention of passers-by to her shop. While others are reducing the number of employees during these times, she has acted in the opposite direction and hired a new temporary employee. Artmaier believes expanding the service in her boutique will boost business. But she also sees the rural location as an advantage now that people are less keen on driving to Munich, where parking is overpriced and there are large crowds. Of course, the good relationship with her customers also helps a lot, she says.
Björn Hartung from the Otter bookshop praises his loyal customers.
(Photo: Peter Hinz-Rosin)
Björn Hartung from the Otter bookstore in Ebersberg is also extremely grateful for his loyal customers. There was no 2G rule in here, he imposed the restriction of only letting four customers in the store himself. “It’s well read,” says Hartung. “From that point of view we are not at a disadvantage at the moment.” He is not bothered by the fact that some people prefer to shop online; the Otter bookshop even set up a net shop, which was well received by customers, especially in the run-up to Christmas.