Obi, Bauhaus & Co.: DIY stores in distress - "The nerves are on edge"
Created: 09/13/2022, 04:49 am
By: Jan Oeftger
The hardware stores are in conflict with the industry.
They themselves suffer from the increased prices caused by inflation.
Kassel – DIY stores like Obi and Bauhaus are also suffering from the energy crisis and inflation.
The annual talks between the hardware stores and the industry have come to a standstill.
During the current year there have already been several price rounds in which the atmosphere is said to have been tense.
"The nerves are on edge", writes the
Lebensmittel Zeitung
, citing suppliers, hna.de summarizes the most important things.
This could jeopardize the supply of goods.
"Especially in the first quarter of the coming year" there could be "significant bottlenecks in the supply of goods", as the Manufacturers' Association House & Garden (HHG) and the Garden Industry Association (IVG) fear.
For IVG Managing Director Anna Hackstein, it is therefore currently "not the right time to flex your muscles".
Fan heaters are currently particularly popular in hardware stores.
(symbol photo) © Felix Hörhager/dpa
Hardware stores and suppliers disagree on prices
The trade association for DIY, building and gardening (BHB) offers to act as a mediator at its congress for roundtable discussions.
"More than ever, effective action by retailers, suppliers and service providers is crucial," the association says, as the
LZ
writes.
The situation is difficult for Obi, Bauhaus and Co.
The hardware stores are struggling with the rising costs.
A hardware store operator explains the problem: "The gas surcharge means a six-digit amount of additional costs for us".
In addition, customers would have adjusted their purchasing behavior.
So people would buy less overall.
According to LZ
information , sales in DIY stores
fell by ten percent compared to the previous year.
An overview of price increases in the retail trade with construction and DIY supplies
Month | Price increase compared to the same month last year |
---|---|
June | 11% |
July | 13% |
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Hardware stores sell a particularly large number of fan heaters
Electric fan heaters are currently sold particularly frequently in a Hamburg hardware store, as reported by
Zeit online
.
However, this is questionable.
"If hundreds of thousands of Hamburg residents put their devices into operation at the same time, that would overload the networks," says store manager Michael Butzynski.
In the energy crisis, customers want to prepare for the winter.
This is also reflected in the strong demand for firewood.
According to a seller, the price of firewood has almost doubled.
But other products have also become significantly more expensive.
Compared to the same month last year, retail prices for construction and DIY supplies rose by eleven percent in June.
In July, the increase was 13 percent.
The general inflation rate is 7.5 percent.
Some retailers do not fully pass on price increases to consumers.
Hornbach has increased prices by seven to eight percent in line with inflation.
The current situation can lead to a drop in sales at DIY stores.
In order to get through the winter safely during the energy crisis, the federal government has already decided on energy-saving measures.
A hardware store employee recently unpacked anonymously.
(yeah)