XXXLutz spokesman and head of marketing Thomas Saliger advocates adopting the German November lockdown in Austria: “That would certainly be good for the entire economy.”
In retail there is again concern about a new lockdown. The closing weeks in spring burned billions. Thomas Saliger, head of marketing and spokesman for furniture retailer XXXLutz, warns against closing everything again, but can imagine a model like the one in Germany, in which the trade remains open.
The German model “1: 1 for Austria could be adopted from Saligers. The German solution would certainly be good for the entire economy,” he emphasizes. Even if his own house were affected by the measures – at least in the restaurant area, where sales are significantly below the previous year. “People are more reserved,” admits Saliger.
Home advantage in the furniture store
The core business with furniture, however, has been booming since the branches reopened in May. The loss of business during the lockdown was easily made up. “Your own home is gaining in value. We believe that we will be among the winners in the long term,” says Saliger. Not surprisingly – the trend to “revamp” and beautify your home is noticeable in many areas in the Corona year.
Several new investments will increase sales to around 10 billion euros in 2020. The company, with its headquarters in Wels, claims that it is the second largest furniture retailer in the world after Ikea.
Consistent growth course
XXXLutz has been pursuing a consistent growth strategy for a long time. Just recently, the furniture and electronics retail chain Conforama was taken over in France together with a US investor; previously in 2019, six Swiss Interio locations and 23 furniture stores of the Pfister Group, 50% of the German furniture chain Roller and the Kika branches in Eastern Europe. In 2018 XXXLutz bought shares in the German chain Poco.
The furniture giant also wants to continue growing in Austria. In Zurndorf in Burgenland, a new central warehouse was built for 72 million euros. In addition, investments were made in the online presence and logistics. The chain has taken a total of 200 million euros in hand for this this year.
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