The lockdown will probably be extended.
This is not good news for retailers.
But sales could still be made with a revolutionary idea.
Berlin - The Prime Minister's Conference with the Chancellor is scheduled for February 10th.
At her so-called Corona summit, Merkel and the country leaders decide how to proceed with the corona pandemic.
Corona numbers are falling: Retail is hoping for easing
After more and more tightening in recent months, calls for easing are now getting louder.
The number of infections has been developing positively for weeks.
According to the Robert Koch Institute (RKI), the 7-day incidence in Germany is now 72.8 (as of February 9) - but there are still no cases in the statistics.
The Chancellor's target is 50, however. Rapid easing on February 14th, when the current lockdown ends, therefore appears very unlikely.
Politicians and virologists are warning of the end of the measures, also with regard to the corona mutations.
Lockdown Extension Likely - When Will It Open?
So it looks like the lockdown will be extended.
This is not good news for retailers.
Despite the unclear location, large chains are already planning to open shops between mid and late February.
"Of course, the dealers prepare for as many scenarios as possible," says the trade association.
It will probably be the end of February / beginning of March at the earliest.
In the worst case, i.e. if the infection process develops completely differently within the next few weeks and even worsens, the waiting time could be significantly longer.
Revolutionary idea?
Companies want to shop by appointment
However, numerous companies have adapted to the current situation and have established other shopping options in addition to traditional online retailing.
A revolutionary idea: shopping by making an appointment.
For example, there are small dealers who number
their goods in the shop windows
according to
chip.de
and these can then be reserved via WhatsApp, email or telephone and picked up in the branch.
The German trade association is also in favor of a solution with agreed deadlines.
Union parliamentary group vice Carsten Linnemann explained: "Many retailers, for example from the textile or furniture sector, would be happy if they could offer their customers individual shopping appointments."
According to information from
chip.de
, H&M, Bershka, Zara and other providers are already making appointments abroad such as Spain or Greece.
In this country, however, there is also the “Click & Collect” or “Call & Get” system.
The new concept has established itself in hardware stores such as Obi, Hagebaumarkt or Bauhaus and furniture giants such as Ikea and Mömax.
Corona lockdown: trade association calls for Merkel's opening strategy
Customers can order the products online or call the store.
Then there is a time window in which you can collect the goods contactlessly.
Payment is made in advance or upon collection by card.
"More than 80 percent of the traders affected by the lockdown are out to make contact with their customers to lose on alternative distribution channels, not quite," says Stefan Hertel from the trade association Germany against
Chip.de
.
However, many do not generate sufficient sales with it.
That's why he emphasizes
German trade association shortly before Merkel's Corona summit that clear and transparent policy statements are now needed.
It must be answered under what conditions and with what number of cases the German retail trade can reopen.
"We need
a light at the end of the tunnel
so that the retailers at least have a somewhat better basis for making decisions about upcoming goods orders," says Hertel.
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List of rubric lists: © Wolfgang Kumm / dpa