The Limited Times

Now you can see non-English news...

That will change at Obi, Hornbach and Co. from May

2021-05-07T01:15:43.975Z


The federal emergency brake has far-reaching consequences for trade. The rules are particularly strict for shops over 800 square meters - and therefore for hardware stores.


The federal emergency brake has far-reaching consequences for trade.

The rules are particularly strict for shops over 800 square meters - and therefore for hardware stores.

Munich - The German hardware stores are among the winners of the Corona crisis: Obi, Hornbach and Co. made almost 14 percent more sales in 2020 compared to the previous year - a total of 22 billion.

Because rarely did people have so much time to beautify their homes.

The new Infection Protection Act could now slow down this soaring.

The federal emergency brake will in future apply nationwide from an incidence of 100. However, the regulations are particularly strict for hardware stores in Bavaria.

Obi, Hornbach and Co .: These rules apply in May

The federal emergency brake came into force on April 24, but due to the increasing numbers, the effects are likely to be felt more clearly in May than in April. On this Thursday morning, for example, the seven-day incidence nationwide was 154.9. If a region is above the incidence of 100 for three days in a row, the emergency brake is applied. An end is only in sight when the region has been below the limit for five days. 

Doubling the distances between customers is particularly relevant for DIY stores. If the incidence is above the 100 mark, 40 people are allowed to stay in an area of ​​800 square meters. Half as many as before. If the shop space is larger than 800 square meters, one additional customer may enter for every 40 square meters. The Obi and Hornbach branches are usually much larger.



If the incidence rises to over 150, it is only possible to collect previously ordered goods. To be able to use this so-called Click & Collect system, do-it-yourselfers need an appointment and a negative corona test. Industry experts like the trade association HDE welcome the option of Click & Collect up to an incidence value of 200. Overall, however, the federal emergency brake remains too general, the HDE continues.

Obi and Hornbach hardware stores in Bavaria: What special rules are there in the Free State?

The federal emergency brake was actually supposed to standardize the corona measures in Germany.

Because it was not always easy for citizens to keep track of the applicable rules.

Nevertheless, Bavaria chooses the special route.

Former Chancellor candidate Markus Söder decided that shops with an incidence of 150 or more may no longer be visited even with an appointment.

This restricts Obi, Hornbach and Co. more clearly than in other federal states, because there the ban only applies from a value of 200 on three consecutive days. 

Hardware stores: Trade association expects queues, especially before public holidays

The trade association HDE warned of long waiting times because of the doubling of the intervals.

On Saturday there were long queues in front of discounters and supermarkets.

To avoid this, it is worth avoiding busy shopping hours.

Experts recommend shopping in the late morning and early afternoon.

The rush is particularly high before public holidays.

So it's worth taking a look at the calendar and then going anti-cyclical shopping.

Because in May there are other public holidays that do not fall on a Sunday: May 13th (Ascension Day) and May 24th (Whit Monday).

By the way: Consumers can also use a technical aid to avoid queues in shops. 

List of rubric lists: © Sven Hoppe / dpa

Source: merkur

All life articles on 2021-05-07

You may like

Trends 24h

Latest

© Communities 2019 - Privacy

The information on this site is from external sources that are not under our control.
The inclusion of any links does not necessarily imply a recommendation or endorse the views expressed within them.