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Rhein-Erft district: Retailers are fighting for survival in the crisis!
The Rhein-Erft district is struggling with challenges in retail: falling customer frequency, bureaucracy and rising costs are putting a strain on retailers.
Rhein-Erft district: Retailers are fighting for survival in the crisis!
Retail in the Rhein-Erft district is currently under enormous pressure. In a new series called “LadenLokal” the Cologne City Gazette the challenges faced by owner-operated retail stores - some already in their third generation. Decreasing customer frequency and a noticeable reluctance to buy are affecting many retailers, who often have to invest their last money in their businesses.
The half-yearly balance sheet of the German Trade Association (HDE) is particularly alarming, reporting problems such as complicated bureaucracy, rising minimum wages and general price developments. Jörg Hamel from the North Rhine-Westphalia Trade Association confirms that many traders live on the edge of the subsistence level. Expectations regarding future sales are bleak: Only 13 percent of retailers expect improvements, while 71 percent report a decline in customer traffic.
The big picture
The corona pandemic has further exacerbated the situation. While many shops had to close, online retail was faced with a huge boom in sales. In addition to these challenges, there are now also the consequences of the Russia-Ukraine war, which is leading to negative consumer sentiment in many households and is increasingly leading to non-essential consumer goods being avoided.
Visions for the future
In order to make inner cities lively again, a new vision is obviously essential. Melanie Steven from the Aktivkreis Frechen advocates for inner cities that are not only places for shopping, but also for communication and community. The location must score points with a higher quality of stay, which, according to Frank Hemig from the IHK Cologne, can only be achieved through good general conditions and better accessibility.
Retail secures millions of jobs in Germany and is a central economic factor. Political measures are needed to strengthen the industry. It is important to reduce bureaucracy, create tax relief for small and medium-sized companies and reduce energy costs the retail blog. These measures are intended not only to make the competitive conditions fairer, but also to increase the attractiveness of inner cities.
At a time when retail provides jobs for around 3 million people, it is up to all of us to support this important sector of the economy. Without him, not only the Rhein-Erft district, but all of Germany will lose its vitality and identity.