[ad_1]
secondand countries have decided stricter rules for retailers in their Corona inquiries. Access restrictions depend on the size of the stores. The deciding factor here is the number 800: in the coming weeks, as before, only one person for every ten square meters will be allowed in this sales area.
In larger stores, the requirement of one person for every 20 square meters also applies to the space beyond.
In a 1000 square meter store, that is, a classic discount branch, in the future only 90 customers instead of 100 will be able to buy at the same time; in supermarkets, which usually have surfaces of 3000 to 7000 square meters, 190 to 390 instead of the previous 300. up to 700 consumers, and in department stores, which in the case of Karstadt have an average of 15,000 square meters, 790 instead of 1,500.
The anger at retail is just as great. “If only a few people are allowed to enter the supermarket or fashion store in the city center at the same time, it inevitably creates long lines in front of shops and in pedestrian areas,” warns Stefan Genth, managing director of the German Retail Association (HDE). And that is problematic in two respects.
For one thing, it is probably not in the interest of containing the pandemic if many customers wait in front of stores in cold weather. On the other hand, the customer has the impression of increased demand and scarcity of goods. “That ultimately could lead to more hamster purchases at the grocery store,” Genth says. “This development must be avoided at all costs so that retailers can continue to ensure that the population receives everyday goods across the board.”
In fact, that grocery store is particularly shaken by political decisions. “The Christmas business presents markets with extraordinary challenges year after year,” says Lionel Souque, CEO of the industrial giant Rewe-Group. After all, sales at the group’s Rewe supermarkets and Penny discount stores in the run-up to Christmas are about 20 percent above average.
“Still, that places particularly high demands on the market organization and employees.” Therefore, an additional restriction on the number of clients will hardly be manageable. Souque now fears “endless lines and chaotic situations in front of supermarkets” in the run-up to Christmas. “That will not protect against infection or protect people’s health.”
Markus Mosa sees it a little differently. “Queues cause discomfort and endanger health at this time of year,” says the head of Germany’s largest grocery store, Edeka. In the interest of employees, Sunday openings should be avoided. But then it shouldn’t further reduce access to stores.
Especially since past practice has proven effective in the opinion of the trade association. “There are no tipping points when buying,” says HDE boss Genth, referring to the retailers’ high investments in hygiene and protective equipment and concepts. And the above rule with ten square meters of space per client is no coincidence: “This is the consistent mathematical implementation of the 1.5 meter distance rule and therefore the application of the Robert Koch Institute recommendation. “.
Distributors are already struggling with a marked decline in customer numbers
You don’t see an objective reason to issue different regulations for sales areas above and below 800 square meters. Also from a legal point of view, such regulation is on very uncertain terrain. “This was proven by experience after the end of the first closure, when initially only dealerships with less than 800 square meters were allowed to open. This regulation was later challenged by the courts. “
As of now, small stores with less than 800 square meters of retail space are initially exempt from the new regulation. The space requirement of ten square meters per person remains there. However, for retail stores of all sizes, an extended mask requirement applies. In the future, mouth and nose covers should also be applied in front of a store and in associated parking lots. At the same time, politicians are asking citizens to do their Christmas shopping during the week.
For many retailers, however, this appeal seems like a mockery. After all, they are already struggling with falling customer numbers, especially in city centers. During the first three weeks of November, for example, the HDE reports, with reference to a current trend survey, a decrease in frequency of about 40 percent compared to the same period last year. And that’s just the average.
In individual industry segments, such as fashion or footwear, the numbers are significantly higher. As a result, downtown retail sales also fell significantly, the HDE speaking of an average of one-third in each of the first three weeks of November. “Stores are financially starving with their doors open,” Genth complains.
And the new resolutions make matters worse, retailers fear, who now expect even greater frequency losses. “Above all, we see problems for fashion stores in good shopping locations,” says Axel Augustin of the Textile Trade Association (BTE). Because precisely there, due to the expensive rentals, a high frequency of clients is essential for survival. “We hope the move means that stores will die even faster if politicians don’t finally support retailers with direct help.”
The HDE is also asking for support to prevent urban centers from becoming deserted. FDP leader Christian Lindner agreed. “The federal government cannot have any interest in bankruptcy of the stationary retail industry as online retailers’ market shares skyrocket,” says Lindner. “We must focus our national efforts on protecting those particularly at risk, rather than paralyzing the country and then eliminating economic damage.”
Lindner refers to existing hygiene concepts in retail. If anything, the federal government should start here and improve the supply of proven FFP2 masks. For those at health risk, the exclusive time windows on retail and taxi coupons would also make sense so they don’t have to use local public transportation. “Everything else amounts to a desolation program for inner cities.”
