Gas crisis: The first hardware stores are examining reduced opening hours and partial closures
Created: 08/19/2022, 05:00
By: Oliver Schmitz
Because of the rising gas prices, garden and hardware stores are considering closings or limited opening times in winter.
But also other measures.
Cologne – Gas prices are currently rising rapidly throughout Germany.
Not only consumers, but also many companies are therefore thinking about how to save as much gas as possible in autumn and winter.
While some energy companies are financially supported by the gas surcharge, other sectors have to pay the additional costs themselves.
This could have drastic consequences for garden centers and hardware stores: Some are considering restricted opening hours or closures in winter.
24RHEIN spoke to the responsible association and some companies about the measures.
Garden and hardware stores are considering closings in winter – due to a lack of income
Sales in the gardening and DIY sector are sometimes heavily dependent on the time of year.
Especially in winter, the income is lower.
Because of the gas crisis, the costs of this and next year could be too high for many businesses, so they are now considering significant measures.
Some garden and DIY stores are currently examining “punctual and temporary (hourly or daily) closures of certain (parts of) locations,” said the responsible trade association for DIY, building and gardening (BHB) in an interview with 24RHEIN.
BHB managing director Peter Wüst explained to the
Lebensmittelzeitung
: "I know of garden center operators who are now considering whether to close the whole of January".
According to the industry representative, however, DIY stores are also examining major restrictions: "Of course, the question arises in the DIY store sector as to whether the long opening times will not be reduced - depending on the weather."
Although DIY stores sell a lot of other things such as tools, paint or building materials in winter, they usually also have a very large plant department.
According to Wüst, some hardware store retailers would therefore consider closing these areas in January and February.
24RHEIN reports that some products and plants that require higher temperatures are sold in both garden centers and hardware stores.
Closures due to gas crisis?
Not an option for all garden centers and hardware stores
Compared to 24RHEIN, the trade association for DIY, building and gardening (BHB) classified the statements a little more specifically.
The garden centers and DIY stores sometimes have “very different sales orientations”, which is why there are also different considerations “on how to deal with a possible shortage of gas supplies in the trade”.
In addition to the closures or restricted opening hours, other measures would also be examined.
Restrictions are also currently an issue for supermarkets and discounters.
The fresh food counters of several chains were recently closed.
Closures at garden and hardware stores: That's what Bauhaus, Hornbach and Hagebaumarkt say
Larger hardware store chains such as Hagebau, Bauhaus and Hornbach do not want to close.
(IDZRW assembly) © Rust/Imago & Future Image/Imago & Fotostand/Imago
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After this announcement, the question now arises for customers as to which garden centers and DIY stores are actually planning restrictions such as closures and shorter opening times for the winter of 2022 to 2023.
24RHEIN asked some companies like Bauhaus, Hornbach and Hagebaumarkt.
The consensus: They are not actually planning to close down, but other measures are in place:
At
Bauhaus
, there is “no question” of closing or partially closing individual branches, as the company explained to 24RHEIN.
Despite the "challenging situation", one would like to continue to offer customers a "complete and unrestricted shopping experience in the specialist centers".
However, Bauhaus is already working on other energy-saving options.
Among other things, the company mentioned the option of reducing the room temperature in the stores "to a reasonable extent or using mobile heating alternatives".
There aren't any
at
Hornbach either
Closings or reduced opening hours are planned, said a spokeswoman for 24RHEIN.
However, the company is already working on other energy-saving measures.
Among other things, they are also considering reducing the room temperatures "within certain zones" of the Hornbach stores.
As a result, things such as indoor plants, animal feed or filler should be bundled in "higher heated zones" and protected with covers.
On top of that, the air conditioning in the Hornbach central administration has already been adjusted to save gas and electricity.
The hardware store is currently selling twice as many fuels and heating alternatives.
Meanwhile, Hagebau
was a little more reserved
.
Since the company is a cooperation of more than 300 independent shareholders, one cannot "decide any central energy saving measures on the site," explained a spokeswoman.
However, some recommendations are currently being drawn up.
Hagebau did not name what that could be.
However, closures have been ruled out for the time being.
"Our customers can rest assured that we will continue to be there for them," says the company.
Because hardware stores are “basic suppliers”.