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reThe Düsseldorf company Douglas GmbH describes itself as a perfumery, at least until Tuesday. Because about a quarter of the 450 branches in Germany should now operate under the label “pharmacy”.
The goal is to keep stores open even during the tough closure that began Wednesday. Because, like all other retailers that don’t offer everyday products, they should have closed. According to the most recent decisions by Chancellor Angela Merkel (CDU) and the country’s leaders, there are exceptions that affect weekly markets, health food stores, opticians, hearing aid acousticians, car and bicycle workshops, dry cleaners, laundries, animal markets. and feed, wholesale and sale of Christmas trees, but simply not perfumeries.
But Douglas has found a way out. Perfume shops sometimes turn into pharmacies.
“In these branches we offer most of the classic range of drugstores: body care products such as creams, shampoos, soaps, deodorants, makeup, perfumes and hygiene products,” a WELT spokeswoman said Wednesday.
The branches of the “premium and luxury segment”, on the other hand, had a different range and remained closed.
The approach now threatens to turn into a public relations fiasco. Because on December 15, the day before the new regulation came into effect, Douglas’s boss, Tina Müller, posted the following post on Twitter:
“We support resolutions to contain the pandemic! Even if it is a blow, as for all retailers in the holiday season. The health of our teams and customers has the highest priority. If everyone contributes, we can do it! “
This is met with misunderstanding on social media. Many think that the procedure “does not show solidarity.” There are also savage insults and calls for a boycott.
But there is also encouragement from customers: the range is very similar to that of a pharmacy. When asked by WELT, the Düsseldorf-based company was unable to state how high the average proportion of pharmacy products actually is at a Douglas branch.
The case is also explosive for an internal letter. Based on its content, Douglas’s Hessian management is asking its employees to take action that could be close to deception. The union Ver.di Hessen presented the document to the German Press Agency; Douglas has not yet wanted to confirm its authenticity.
The letter that was first reported by “Bild” reads, among other things: “Please remove the following items from the sales area before your store opens: Decorative items and jewelry, eg Douglas Bear, Tosh except reading glasses, tree decorations. Our range of drugstores should be presented mainly in the entrance area of the store, so that it is clear that we are a drugstore. “
“Explain to the officials that it is a drugstore”
In the case of controls, employees should proceed as follows: “Please do not have aggressive discussions and avoid arguments. Explain to the officials that it is a pharmacy. “
And further: “Please have the IDs shown to you and write the names on the protocol template. If the officials want to close the store, file an oral objection.”
The Ver.di union is alarmed. Bernhard Schiederig, Director of Retail in Hesse, told the German Press Agency:
“Anyone who misunderstands the urgent closure and permitted continuation of certain businesses in this way is not only untrustworthy. Douglas’s approach is largely disreputable, as pleasant as the smell of open stores is. That has to stop as soon as possible. ” Ver.di could not be reached Wednesday afternoon for comment.
The Douglas company in Düsseldorf contradicts the union’s representation. The term “pharmacy” is not legally specified; one adheres to all applicable regulations. A spokeswoman told the “Bild” newspaper in the morning: “Other large pharmacy chains offer a comparable range. We will implement all necessary hygiene measures and ensure that they are regularly checked. “
In the industry you see things in a more differentiated way. “Personal care products such as soaps, shampoos or hygiene products not only contribute to well-being in times of crisis, but also specifically help to cope with the pandemic,” says Thomas Keizer, CEO of the Detergents and Personal Care Association.
Other companies also find loopholes
“It’s important to get the best possible supply of these products to the population and to keep as many outlets open as possible with effective hygiene concepts,” says Keizer. “By the way, this also includes hair salons and cosmetic studios.”
But it is precisely these that must remain closed. It seems that Douglas is not the only company that takes advantage of all the loopholes on the first day of hard closing.
Some local newspapers report on open stationery stores, and a Berlin perfumery specialist also writes on his website: “Dear customers, we are open!”
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