Retail trade - Trade association takes stock of Christmas business
Retailers in the southwest are not satisfied with this year's Christmas business. This is the result of a survey of more than 280 retailers published by the Baden-Württemberg Retail Association (HBW) on Sunday. The assessment was particularly mixed when it came to customer frequency and turnover. Both received an average grade of around 3.6, while the retailers rated customer sentiment with an even 3, meaning that business was satisfactory to sufficient according to the current status.
HBW Managing Director Sabine Hagmann said: "Many customers did not really want to get into the Christmas spirit." In many places, this subdued mood then expressed itself in a reluctance to buy. The uncertainty caused by the government's actions also played a major role in this. " Christmas business is therefore emblematic of a difficult year for the retail sector," said Hagmann.
Hagmann is pinning her hopes on the weeks after the holidays. During this time, many gifts and vouchers are usually redeemed in bricks-and-mortar retail stores. This could lead to a conciliatory end to the year, said Hagmann.
However, according to the data, the fourth Saturday in Advent was the strongest in terms of sales in this year's Christmas business. The expected trend of customers buying presents late again this year was confirmed. The increase in sales compared to the third Saturday of Advent was around 40 percent, but was lower than in previous years. "The storm put a bit of a spanner in the works here," said Hagmann.
Christmas business is particularly important for many retailers in the country. According to the association, some industry segments make up to 40 percent of their annual turnover in the last quarter. The trade association represents more than 40,000 retail companies. Around 500,000 people are employed in the sector in the southwest.
Press release
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- Despite the strong sales on the fourth Saturday in Advent, many retailers in Southwest Germany's Christmas business were unsatisfied, as revealed in a survey conducted by the Baden-Württemberg Retail Association (HBW) on Sunday.
- The retail trade association represented by HBW represents over 40,000 retail companies in the region, providing employment for around 500,000 people, highlighting the importance of the Christmas business for the Southwest's retail sector.
- Sabine Hagmann, Managing Director of HBW, expressed concerns about the lack of Christmas spirit among customers, which resulted in fewer purchases and contributed to a difficult year for the retail trade.
- In an effort to improve the end of the year, Hagmann hopes that the post-holiday period will see an increase in redeemed gifts and vouchers, leading to a more positive outcome for the retail sector in Stuttgart, Baden-Württemberg.
- While some retail segments can generate up to 40% of their annual turnover during the Christmas season, uncertainty and reluctance to spend due to government actions and a dim customer outlook have significantly impacted the overall retail trade in the Southwest.
Source: www.stern.de
