Logistical and environmental factors as well as influencers always present "dm" with challenges.
With inflation, the purchasing behavior of customers has also changed.
District – Plexiglas panes still separate the individual checkout areas in the dm branches.
A hygiene concept was developed during the corona pandemic.
According to Ulrich Brenner, we want to continue to hold on to everything that doesn't bother us.
The area manager, who is responsible for the branches in Schongau and Weilheim, among other things, states that the devices make sense from the number of cases of illness, which have generally decreased.
A phenomenon that presented retailers with challenges, especially in the early days of the pandemic, namely hamster purchases, now hardly exists anymore.
One exception: "When the Ukraine war broke out, oil and grain products were hoarded," says Brenner.
However, customers are now more relaxed about it if a product is not available.
They would either “choose an alternative or try again later because they know it will come back,” Brenner observed.
However, if customers believe that they see a hoarder in someone else, the way they deal with each other is unfortunately often rough.
Environmental and logistic factors as well as influencers as challenges
Although more products have been stored regionally since the experiences of the pandemic in order to be able to react more quickly, some things are out of stock from time to time.
Brenner names environmental and logistics factors as well as influencers as current challenges.
For example, droughts, fires and floods in parts of the world last year led to problems in the food sector.
That's why you don't just focus on one supplier in order to be able to compensate for failures as far as possible.
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Ulrich Brenner, area manager at dm.
© Elena Siegl
According to Brenner, the zero-Covid strategy in China also had an impact on logistics in Germany.
Containers were fixed and therefore missing in other places.
This led to a "mess in the world".
The company is still struggling with delivery problems.
Also because many truck drivers come from the Ukraine, says Brenner.
The men would now, of course, be needed elsewhere.
It is sometimes unpredictable for dm which products will suddenly be in demand.
A few days ago, an influencer raved about a muesli bar on social media, which was then sold out in all branches, says Brenner.
(By the way: everything from the region is now also available in our regular Schongau newsletter.)
Changed purchasing behavior due to inflation
Purchasing behavior has also changed as a result of inflation.
"Customers don't buy less - but cheaper." Above all, own brands are very popular.
Dm is trying to "subsidize" the rising production costs there: "Customers are increasingly comparing prices."
When it comes to energy, dm wants to become more independent.
However, Brenner does not believe in reducing opening hours to save energy, as some supermarkets do.
He speaks of "greenwashing".
The savings are minimal.
But you would unsettle people even more in already uncertain times.
It is "nice to be a provider".
This is what Brenner sees as the task of dm.
He is certain that local branches will continue to be important in the future.
However, orders via the Internet would also increase.
Especially for things "that you don't like to buy," says Brenner.
Cleaning supplies are part of it, or diapers.
Special pick-up stations have been set up in Schongau and Weilheim.
In this way, products can be taken away after three hours in the branch.
dm: That's how it works in the Weilheim-Schongau district
The branch in Weilheim in particular is very well attended.
She's one of those who "almost tears it apart," says Brenner with a smile.
Since it is a former Aldi, the conditions, such as the storage space, are ideal.
Brenner is also very satisfied with the business in Schongau.
He does not regret that dm decided against settling in Peiting about two years ago.
With the opening of Müller in Peiting, there was only a short-term loss of customers.
As before, Brenner would like to be able to open a dm branch in Penzberg.
"It's our turn," he says.
However, a possible area or building must suit the company.
You can find more current news from the region around Schongau at Merkur.de/Schongau.
