Unpackaged shops are fighting for survival: only every fifth member buys

The business urgently needs more customers, the turnover does not satisfy the cooperative.

New ideas should help against the loss of sales in the Pöringer business.

Zorneding - The “DEINE Alternative” cooperative operates the unpackaged shop in Pöring. Its turnover is currently a major concern for the members. This was discussed at a general meeting. The cooperative currently has 184 members, but only around 20 percent of them buy their own in their shop, as was learned at the meeting. The main cause of the cooperative's tense financial situation, however, is the corona pandemic, which only partially enabled regular shop operations.

As the chairman of the supervisory board, Falk Skeide, explained, all expenses have now been examined and potential savings identified.

Raiffeisenbank Zorneding, as the lessor of the retail space, accommodates the cooperative by significantly reducing the rent for a limited period of time.

An advertisement was to be placed in the Zornedingen citizen information brochure, the costs for which would be covered by private donations from members, including Mayor Piet Mayr.

In addition, a "task force" was set up under the leadership of cooperative member Bernhard Just, which intends to support the board in various areas in the future.

Survey shows: over a third of the members are organic, faitrade and local when shopping

A survey was drawn up in the run-up to the meeting, which was answered by 35 percent of the members and provided important information for further planning.

According to the survey, it is particularly important to members when shopping that the goods are plastic-free, organic, fairtrade and local.

Transparency with regard to the manufacturers is also important to the members.

Some customers missed certain foods in the range, but the store team tries to accommodate these requests.

Other customers found the prices, the journey and the opening times to be a bit annoying.

The latter have already been adjusted.

The unpackaged shop is open on Monday, Wednesday and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., on Tuesday, Thursday and Friday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. and from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Another “roundabout” planned: flower pots, seeds and tools can be given and exchanged

There will also be the popular “roundabout” in the spirit of sustainability in 2022: used products from certain subject areas can be handed in and taken away free of charge in the anteroom of the shop.

In January and February everything revolves around the theme of the garden: Flower pots, seeds and tools for the garden, garage or workshop can be exchanged.

In March, decorative items for spring and summer can be brought and taken with you, in April it's all about fabrics and sewing utensils, in May about kitchen and housewares, in June about office items.

In addition, leftover wax, corks, old cell phones, fabric bags, egg cartons, curtain fabrics and broken jeans can be returned to the store at any time.

“We are definitely looking to the future with optimism,” says cooperative chairwoman Alexandra Skeide.

More information on the website of the cooperative: your-alternative.com

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