Massive slump in sales: Much fewer customers in the shops on the 4th of Advent - "catastrophe for retailers"
Created: 12/21/2021, 3:43 PM
With regard to the corona pandemic, Regensburg's business people speak of a not quite as crowded city center on the 4th Saturday of Advent.
(Symbol picture) © Hauke-Christian Dittrich / dpa
On the shopping day with the highest turnover of the year, Regensburg's old town was not quite as crowded as in previous years.
The traders have mixed feelings.
Regensburg - On the Saturday before Christmas, a large number of people flock to the shops to buy the last gifts and to do errands before the holidays.
It's usually the busiest day of the year for retailers.
The old town of Regensburg * was lively on the fourth Saturday of Advent (December 18) this year, but not as in previous years.
Corona and the tightened measures are to blame, but also the online shopping boom.
The dealers go into the Christmas holidays with mixed feelings.
Regensburg: Less Christmas shopping in the old town
Christoph Wacht from the artists' shop "Farben Eckert" in the city center reported to
Bayerischer Rundfunk
that on Saturday he saw fewer people doing their Christmas shopping in the old town. For him, however, not only a disadvantage: “You no longer push your way through the city like that. I just find it much more relaxed. "
The shopkeeper is satisfied with his Christmas business so far this year.
It was going very well under the circumstances.
However, he noticed that the income was distributed differently than before the corona pandemic *.
He is now making more sales during the week, and on Saturday it has become quieter.
“That also has its advantage, because people are safer in our store and can look around us longer,” he explains.
Regensburg: Big slump in sales in retail
Not all retailers are as optimistic and calm about the situation as Christoph Wacht.
Armin Gebhard, chairman of the association “Regensburger Kauffolk eV” and owner of a men's outfitter, speaks to the
BR
of a “disaster for the retail trade”.
Although this is industry-dependent, the retail trade is currently only generating 40 to 50 percent of sales compared to 2019.
However, it is not just the 2G regulation in retail that is to blame for these large sales drops.
The great online shopping boom is also causing a slump in the Christmas business for local retailers.
He pleads with the people of Regenburg to go back to local retailers and to think about it when shopping on the Internet: “Where do I click?
Do I want to support American super-rich? "
A current trend survey by the German Retail Association (HDE) among 1000 retail companies shows that the majority of retailers are similar to Armin Gebhard.
Two thirds of the respondents are therefore dissatisfied with the course of the Christmas business so far.
What was hoped for as a ray of hope at the end of the year has now become a bitter disappointment for many.
Only 15 percent of those surveyed have positive expectations for the time until the end of the year.
Regensburg: Most of the customers take the tightening calmly
Both retailers see with their customers that the tightening is being taken relatively calmly.
According to Christoph Wacht, most of them have their ID and vaccination certificate ready when entering the shop.
The
BR also
observed how a customer who had forgotten her mask turned back without hesitation to get it.
“Doesn't help,” the Regensburg native is quoted as saying.
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