The Germans continue to only go shopping in the corona crisis when it is really necessary. “Only demand purchases are made, nothing more,” says a letter from the German Trade Association (HDE) to Federal Finance Minister Olaf Scholz (SPD). As a result, there are no spontaneous purchases. Therefore, trade continues to suffer considerably, even if all shops are allowed to open again. In the city centers, only half as many customers are traveling as usual. According to trade information, the state requirements also contribute to this, for example that, depending on the federal state, only one customer per 10 or 20 square meters is allowed in the shops.
In the letter, which is available from the German Press Agency, the industry calls for an economic stimulus package, including bridging aids, an inner city fund and digitization grants. For April – when most of the shops were closed for weeks – the worst sales figures since World War II were expected, it said. Without further help, thousands of medium-sized retail companies such as fashion houses, shoe and sports shops, perfumeries and book stores are threatened in their existence.
–
