[ad_1]
“Click & Collect” is the result of intense efforts; the collection of the requested products is expressly welcome; retailers need sales compensation for closing days in December
Vienna (OTS) – “The recent closure in Austria is a serious blow to trade,” says Rainer Trefelik, president of the federal trade division of the Austrian Chamber of Commerce (WKÖ). According to calculations by KMU Research Austria, if business income is completely lost, more than half (58 percent) of business companies in Austria can pay their regular expenses without financial assistance for up to one month. “This shows how important it is to financially support companies during the subsequent closure,” said Rainer Trefelik. Sales replacement for December closing days should be based on December sales of the previous year. Because only December comparable sales reflect the holiday business, most of which will be irretrievably lost this year.
Trefelik, spokesperson for Austrian retailers, describes the fact that the possibility of collecting the ordered products (Click & Collect) is allowed as a “great success of our efforts”: “From an epidemiological point of view, nothing speaks against it” says Trefelik “because collection is usually done outdoors, where the risk of infection is much lower than in a store. Furthermore, customers who may be waiting in front of the store have long got used to the required distance And they generally maintain it. For retailers, this way of selling products is a small ray of hope to add value to the industry. ”
Currently, the possibility of free trials appears to be the only realistic possibility of giving the trade a medium-term perspective until a vaccine is available for the entire population. Therefore, Freest looks positive.
“In a new lockdown, it should be more clearly regulated what products retailers who can open their stores can sell,” says Trefelik, addressing the issue of fair cooperation within retailers. “Supermarkets and pharmacies should only sell products for daily use. It’s hard to see why some grocery and drug retailers, for example, sell home appliances, while electricity retailers have to keep their stores closed. that is not allowed. However, the regulation leaves some room for interpretation. “An indisputable definition is now required to ensure fair play,” says commercial president Rainer Trefelik. In addition, a rapid solution is still required for suppliers and other indirectly affected companies. (PWK637 / JHR)
Queries and contact:
DMC – Data and Media Center
Austrian Chamber of Commerce
T 05 90 900 – 4462
E DMC_PR@wko.at
