Changed opening hours some Netto stores have been applying since November. The network does not hide that the cause is the energy crisis. Already in October, the Kaufland chain reduced the opening hours of many stores: they used to operate until 11pm, now only until 10pm. However, the network has provided InnPolandthat the reason was that customers were less likely to visit the shops in the evening.
Wiadomoscihandlowe.pl they say, however, that the Biedronka unions are demanding the closure of shops in the big cities 22, and in small – of 21. They support the insufficient number of people to move and the rise in energy prices.
However, the responses sent to Business Insider prove it Biedronka isn’t making such a move yet. “Rising commodity prices and rising electricity prices are a huge challenge for entrepreneurs,” the company admits in an email. However, he points this out instead of limiting the hours, he prefers to install solar parks on the roofs of shops. “We currently have about 120 installations of this type” – says Biedronka.
Another large retail chain tells us unofficially that there will be no changes to the opening hours of the stores. However, work is underway on significant “changes in work organization”. The details have not yet been worked out. The Aldi Nord chain in Germany has also decided to shorten the opening hours of its stores.
“We are sorry, but we will not talk about this topic” – so answered the network Dino Polska to our questions on this topic. AIdi, in turn, replies that “he looks at the situation and analyzes various possible scenarios”. So far, however, no decisions have been made.
The president of the Polish Trade and Distribution Organization, Renata Juszkiewicz, reassures in an interview with Business Insider that for now, the members of the organization are not thinking of reducing the working hours of the shops. He says they rather focus on lowering the intensity of lighting, replacing lamps with LEDs, or replacing other devices with energy-saving ones. – For the moment, just these actions are being taken. Of course, the question remains whether they will prove sufficient in the face of the crisis, he adds.
Biedronka does not reduce its opening hours for now, but points out that it is investing in roof panels
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The hoteliers, on the other hand, look forward to the coming months with horror. – Many of them, in fact, are wondering if they should close their facilities for the winter season and reopen only at Easter – Marcin Mączyński of the Polish Chamber of Commerce of the Hotel Industry tells Business Insider. He points out that he has not yet come across a hotel that would eventually make such a decision. – We will soon find out what the extent of the phenomenon will be – he adds. Industry reports prove this even one in five hoteliers can decide to take such a step.
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Our interviews show that companies are aware of the gravity of the situation – and in many restaurant, commercial and even industrial companies there is talk of operating restrictions. The fact that there aren’t many decisions yet is pretty optimistic. There are also big companies that they trust to overcome adversity.
– We don’t have plans like that – Business Insider replies to the spokesperson of LPP (owner, among others, of the Reserved, House and Cropp brands) Monika Wszeborowska when asked if they are preparing big savings.
The small business (a little) heaved a sigh. The great is afraid
Smaller trading companies, including local stores, often tighten their belts. You can hear about turning off refrigerators, limiting working time, screwing in radiators, and even cutting your assortment.
Adam Abramowicz, spokesman for small and medium-sized enterprises, stresses, however, that small businesses will be helped by the freezing of energy prices. The maximum price for SMEs and local administrations is PLN 785 per MWh. Abramowicz tells Business Insider that many entrepreneurs had already planned to restrict their businesses before the Sejm passed these regulations. – The maximum price, however, has changed a lot – He says.
He admits, however, that what the small and medium-sized business sector will protect could be a major blow to large companies. Abramowicz also argues that helping large entities at this level would be impossible due to EU regulations.
This crisis can therefore be completely different from all the others. So far, it has been the big companies that have been most likely to survive the problems without too much turmoil. The times of the lockdown proved this. Eventually large retail chains benefited as well, and research showed that many neighborhood stores had to close. Small businesses can theoretically sleep more peacefully now. Although entrepreneurs admit that times are extremely difficult and that lowering energy prices may not be enough to protect hundreds of small businesses.
– Also, let’s be honest, Biedronka or Netto will be fine. Maybe the opening rules will change a bit, maybe they’ll save a little. However, who if who, these networks will surely survive the crisis – the interlocutor of the commercial sector tells us.
Author: Mateusz Madejski, reporter for Business Insider Polska
