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Shopping mall in Magdeburg: Retailers are disappointed with the Christmas business
Photo: Klaus-Dietmar Gabbert / dpa
The delivery problems in the retail sector came to a head in the pre-Christmas period, which is important for many retailers.
According to the latest Ifo survey in December, 81.6 percent of retailers complained that not all goods ordered could be delivered.
In November it was 77.8 percent.
"The retail trade is currently being burdened twice," said the head of the Ifo surveys, Klaus Wohlrabe.
»Dealers cannot offer all products.
And in view of the high incidences, customers are reluctant to shop. "
The situation in the retail of electronic household appliances and entertainment electronics is particularly difficult: almost all retailers there are struggling with delivery problems.
It looks similar with the hardware stores.
In the toy retail sector, on the other hand, the situation has eased somewhat.
Nevertheless, 77 percent continue to report missing deliveries there.
Because of the delivery bottlenecks for microchips, paper and other products, many had already expected negative consequences for their Christmas business.
The managing director of the industry association HDE, Stefan Genth, had already warned in November of isolated bottlenecks in the availability of products.
2G rules put a strain on business
Nevertheless, the HDE had actually expected record sales in the current Christmas business.
Revenues should increase in November and December together by two percent compared to the same period in the previous year to just under 112 billion euros.
Online retailing should be the main driver.
After the fourth weekend in Advent, the industry has now been disappointed with the Christmas business to date.
Two thirds of the 1000 respondents are dissatisfied with the way things have gone so far.
"This year's Christmas business is a bitter disappointment for many retailers," said HDE boss Genth.
"2G has been bothering them for weeks, and that in what is usually the busiest time of the year."
Retail is one of the areas particularly affected by the corona restrictions.
With the exception of shops for daily needs such as supermarkets and drug stores, only those who have been vaccinated or recovered (2G) are allowed to enter the shops due to the fourth corona wave.
Traditionally, classic gift industries such as the toy trade make more than a fifth of their annual turnover in November and December.
apr / Reuters