By Greg Vega 
D.He said the retailer is worried about its Christmas sales again this year. With increasing corona infections, the fear of stricter access rules or worse, the updated lockdown is also on the rise.
In Berlin or Saxony, for example, the 2-G rules already apply to retail, so only those who have been vaccinated or recovered will be allowed into the stores. This worries the German trade association and strongly warns that tightening could endanger the “existence of many traders”.
He warns exactly that. Much of this infection is similar to deja vu, severe restrictions are discussed again, and a lock may come back. However, for specialty retailers, the situation is different this winter: if there are renewed restrictions, the industry will be hit even harder this time than last year, with the exception of grocery retailers who are rarely affected by the epidemic.
In addition to restrictions, there are also supply restrictions
Because delivery disruptions also place a huge burden on companies. While there is no risk of empty shelves across the board, the shortage is having an impact on the Christmas business. Some products, especially from the electronics and bicycle segment, are unlikely to go up until Christmas. Electrical components, but the fork and frame of a bicycle are mainly manufactured in Asia.
Not only is filling more difficult, but it is also more expensive. Because of the huge transportation costs also have an impact. The already thin financial situation continues to shrink. They are no longer available to anyone who had stockpiled for bad times before the epidemic.
Speaking of warehouses: In addition to the new stuff, there are also often polluted sites. In some industries, the range of past locks is still accumulating. All the remaining items were not sold after the previous stores closed. Also sold did not go to full price. Stable trading wants to avoid a recurrence of this situation.
Some businesses make up a quarter of their sales during the Christmas season
Empty treasuries really need to be replenished by the Christmas business, and after all, it’s time of year to make more money, as some businesses, such as the book trade, make up only a quarter of their annual income in November and December. It remains to be seen whether they will win again this year. The beginning was unusually bad.
According to an industry association survey, so far only one in five retailers is satisfied with the Christmas business. This is due to the low frequency in city centers due to already tight measures. Consumers at fixed retail or if they can only shop to a certain extent, they often buy online. This turnover is lost at Christmas, and gift shopping is not done in the spring.
In addition, it is questionable how much a closure will bring for epidemic protection. Almost two years after the epidemic broke out, it is still a matter of controversy whether retail is one of the most dangerous places. Studies come to different conclusions. On the other hand, there is agreement that the store should not have queues or crowds.
Customers benefit from uniform rules for infection protection
To this end, there is no need to close stores again, and uniform rules ensure protection from infection when shopping, such as the need for masks, distance rules and health regulations. Retailers use and control these activities over a long period of time, often at high cost.
If in doubt, the 2-G rule would be less harmful than the new Lockdown. But the disadvantages of 2G are clear where this restriction already applies: in Berlin, first retailers not only complain about significantly lower customer bandwidth or higher staff costs, but also about long queues in front of stores, which should actually be avoided.
It is good for politicians to consider which restrictions will really help. HTE is now promoting compulsory vaccination in an open letter to the federal government. To move the debate, the industry association wants to increase the number of shopping centers and expand the vaccination campaign. It is hoped that retailers with more than two million employees will take their concerns seriously and do everything possible to prevent stores from closing.