Does the excitement about Corona really make the Germans hamster? In any case, drugstore chains are feeling the effects - in some places, products are running out at least temporarily.
- The corona virus puts many Germans in a critical position.
- The large drugstore chains, among others, are feeling the consequences.
- There is particularly high demand at both dm and Rossmann - the chains are working on the reaction.
Munich / Karlsruhe - The corona virus is causing some people in the Federal Republic of Germany to get excited. Apparently there are also effects on the purchasing behavior of Germans - despite the fact that many population groups are in fact hardly at risk.
Shortages of disinfectants or protective masks had already been reported. Research by the Ippen-Digital central editorial office now shows that German drugstores are currently facing more or less massive challenges. This was confirmed by the two chains with the highest sales, dm and Rossmann, on request.
Coronavirus: Hamster Purchases in Drugstore Markets? At dm in some places "Products temporarily not available"
"In the last few days, the demand for a wide variety of articles - such as hygiene products - from our range has skyrocketed," said dm managing director Sebastian Bayer . Because of the “abrupt increase”, “temporary products are not available at some locations,” he conceded.
According to its own statements, the Karlsruhe chain has already reacted. According to Bayer, “it has taken measures along the entire supply chain to supply our dm stores with goods again”. The supply of goods to the dm stores has "top priority".
Coronavirus: Rossmann experiences "increased demand" - work is being done on the solution
The situation at Rossmann seems similar. The retailer from Burgwedel near Hanover also confirmed to the Ippen-Digital central editorial office that there was "an increased demand for certain products". One is “in close exchange” with suppliers.
The chain did not want to provide any details on request - Rossmann asked for understanding that no further details could be disclosed. At the beginning of the month, trade had already reported an increase in demand, but also emphasized that there was no danger to the supply to the population. Health Minister Jens Spahn (CDU) had also recently said that buying hamsters was unnecessary. However, there is definitely movement among retailers: the discounter Aldi recently pushed into the business with protective articles.
Coronavirus: Federal government prevents - breathing masks may no longer be exported
Meanwhile, the federal government itself is preventing: It prohibited the export of breathing masks and other protective equipment in the middle of the week. The crisis team from the Ministry of Health and the Interior said that the export ban affects not only protective masks but also gloves and protective suits . Exceptions are only possible under narrow conditions in the context of concerted international aid campaigns. In addition, the Federal Ministry of Health attracted the procurement of protective medical equipment for medical practices, hospitals and federal authorities.
The Director General of the World Health Organization (WHO) , Adhanom Ghebreyesus, had previously warned that "growing demand, hamster purchases and misuse" of masks and goggles threaten the fight against the novel corona virus worldwide. Experts actually have clear advice on what should be ready for in-house emergencies.
The excitement surrounding the virus also has an impact on flight schedules for large airlines: Lufthansa, for example, cancels thousands of departures by the end of March. Meanwhile, the economy is worried - a recession could be impending.
fn / mke (with material from AFP)