Corona summit plunges retail even deeper into crisis - violent criticism from business associations

It has been clear since Wednesday: the lockdown will take longer than expected.

This is devastating news for restaurateurs and stationary retailers. 

• Since December 16, 2020 there has been a nationwide shutdown in Germany.

• The lockdown will be extended to at least March 7th.

• There should be initial easing for the retail trade from a 7-day incidence of less than 35.

Berlin - Since the Corona * summit on Wednesday it has been clear: The shutdown will be extended.

The extension of the state of emergency amounts to bad news for large parts of the retail sector.

A lack of opening perspectives, planning uncertainty and the non-functioning state support could drive many business owners to the financial abyss in the next few weeks.

Lockdown extension: Great discontent in the economy

The new resolutions after the Corona * summit were followed by harsh criticism from large parts of the economy.

The managing director of the Federal Association of Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (BVMW), Merkus Jerger, criticized

the lack of open-

mindedness in

Der Spiegel,

for example.

"Again the federal government is putting off small and medium-sized enterprises with non-binding promises and leaves them begging on the drip of bridging aid."

Even before the summit, it was foreseeable that there would be no far-reaching easing.

However, many retailers and restaurateurs had hoped for more specific statements and thus better planning security.

The German Hotel and Restaurant Association (DEHOGA) is disappointed with the decisions.

“We didn't expect a specific opening date, but definitely with a statement as to when and under what conditions hotels and restaurants will be able to receive guests again.

We had expected clear perspectives for our industry, which is extremely important for the quality of life of our fellow citizens as well as the attractiveness of the inner cities and the regions ”, explains DEHOGA managing director Ingrid Hartges.

Corona aid does not have the hoped-for success

The financial support for the catering industry, advertised as a savior, seems to be the next failure of the federal government in the corona crisis.

DIW President Marcel Fratzscher says that the implementation of economic aid was "actually a disaster".

"Many don't get the money and many simply don't get enough."

The inadequate implementation of the bridging aid is now also receiving criticism from politics.

In the

picture

, the Bavarian Prime Minister Markus Söder complained about the payment of the November and December aid: "A bazooka was promised, but currently it is still a slingshot without a stone".

DIW President Fratzscher also criticizes the federal government's strategy for retailers and states that many retailers still do not have any urgently needed prospects after the summit.

“This is of course catastrophic, especially for the economy.

Many companies are on the verge of their existence and that will of course worsen dramatically in the next few months. ”Wolfgang Gernke, President of the Baden-Württemberg Chamber of Commerce and Industry, sees the renewed extension as“ the next blow for our already tumbling industries ”.

(

phf / dpa)

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