–
A nationwide debate has flared up as to whether shops will have to close again due to high corona numbers. According to the Bremen Chamber of Commerce, that would be a disaster for many companies.
–
Image: DPA | Sebastian Kahnert
The debate about renewed closings of the retail trade in view of the continued high number of corona infections is being followed with concern in Bremen and Lower Saxony. Bavaria and Saxony had previously announced that they would introduce stricter measures with school and retail closings. The retail expert from the Bremen Chamber of Commerce describes it as a disaster should politicians decide to close the retail sector again. “The trade has not yet recovered from the closings in the spring,” said Karsten Nowak in an interview with buten un. Many companies would therefore not survive another complete lockdown.
40 percent fewer customers than in 2019
In this year’s Christmas business, retailers in Bremen would be missing 40 percent of their customers compared to the previous year. “Nationwide, 60 percent of retailers are concerned about their future,” Nowak says. But in his view, a new lockdown would not only be fatal for companies and their employees: “After renewed closings, Bremen’s inner city would no longer be what we know today.” After all, the corona crisis is already promoting structural change in city centers in many places. In view of the political discussion about renewed closings in the retail sector, Nowak pleaded for regional decisions: “In view of the Bremen infection situation, I currently see no need for business closings.”
Bremen’s inner city would no longer be the one we know today after renewed closings.
Karsten Nowak, retail expert at the Bremen Chamber of Commerce
–
–Jan König, Managing Director of Handelsverband Nordwest, agrees with this assessment: “With these figures, the closings are not necessary.” He also experiences the concerns of retailers in Bremen and Lower Saxony and receives many calls in view of the renewed demands for closings. “The retailers are afraid that they will lose the last straw,” said König. The last straw, the Christmas business, is the time of the year with the highest turnover.
Shopping behavior changes faster
Should there be renewed closings of the retail trade, König expects that the doors of some shops will remain closed permanently. “Of course, the retailers would be extremely dependent on government aid.” Shopping behavior will change significantly as a result of the pandemic, and the trend towards online trading will accelerate. “The stationary retailers have to go two ways,” says König, “many are being forced to be digitally present,” which is not only negative. He sees potential in offers such as live shopping, which bring stationary and online retail together.
Whether to close it or not: What is decisive for König is a uniformity between Bremen and Lower Saxony. “For many, this is otherwise incomprehensible,” he says, referring to the Corona rules. Otherwise it is to be feared that, like in spring, people will commute in or out to shop, as was the case at the hardware stores.
–
This topic in the program:
Bremen Zwei, Nachrichten, December 7, 2020, 4 p.m.–
