The German Retail Association (HDE) fears that the spread of the particularly contagious Corona variant Omikron will deal another blow to retailers in German city centers.
“If the incidence figures soar, fewer people will probably come to the city centers again,” said the managing director of the German Trade Association (HDE) Stefan Genth of the German press agency. Many vaccinated and convalescent people who could actually go shopping would then probably think twice about the way to the pedestrian zones.
Nonetheless, Genth warned emphatically of a new lockdown in retail to combat the pandemic: “To say that we are going to close the shops now and that we have Omikron under control, that would be absolutely wrong.” The hygiene concepts of the trade and the requirement to wear a mask when shopping continue to offer very good protection against infection. Genth pointed out that in a trend survey by the HDE, around 50 percent of the non-grocery retailers surveyed stated that they saw their very existence endangered by the continuation of the current access restrictions. The introduction of 2G led to an average of over 40 percent drop in visitor numbers and a third less sales in the affected retail trade.
Even today, more and more shops are empty. «Medium-sized retailers in particular are dying quietly. No bankruptcy is filed, the company is simply wound up, ”said Genth. “Everyone sees that shops are suddenly disappearing in their own city. Closing the gaps will be difficult. ”
With a view to the days after Christmas, however, the industry insider was subduedly optimistic. «We hope that people will bring vouchers and gifts of money into the shops and we assume that the number of visitors in the city centers will be quite decent. But that will probably be a long way from the pre-crisis level in 2019. ».
Genth also looks to the year 2022 with mixed feelings. Nobody can say how the corona crisis will develop, he said. A prognosis is hardly possible. «But people want to treat themselves to something. And there is often enough money. So I do believe that the retail sector has a good chance in 2022. ” (dpa)