Dresden (dpa / sn) – The retail trade in Saxony is looking at the Christmas business with subdued expectations. The signs are difficult, said René Glaser, general manager of the Saxony trade association, on Friday of the German Press Agency. Consumer sentiment is gloomy, new purchases are being shelved and sharp increases in energy prices are creating a great deal of uncertainty. “But according to our surveys, customers are still determined to buy gifts.”
The association therefore expects sales of around 5 billion euros in Saxony in the two months of November and December, which are important for the Christmas business. Nominally, an increase of 5 percent is expected, but price-adjusted, given the high inflation, this is a minus of around 4 percent compared to the previous year, explained Glaser. “Although it should always be mentioned that last year’s Christmas business was not good due to drastic corona measures.”
Vouchers, toys, books, cosmetics and entertainment electronics are said to be particularly popular as gifts under the Christmas tree. Clothing and shoes were also big hits in stores in the last few months of the year. Glaser explained that there could still be delivery bottlenecks for individual goods at times. If necessary, customers would have to resort to alternative products.
