Stuttgart (dpa / lsw) – According to a survey, the Christmas business in Baden-Württemberg retail went surprisingly well, contrary to pessimistic forecasts. Accordingly, compared to 2021, when Christmas markets were closed and a 2G rule applied, an increase in sales of 70 percent was generated, according to a survey of 300 dealers published in Stuttgart by the Baden-Württemberg trade association. First, “Stuttgarter Zeitung” and “Stuttgarter Nachrichten” (Thursday) reported.
Above all, the turnover in the week after the fourth Sunday of Advent until Christmas Eve was “extraordinary”, it is said that “took it out”. Retailers increased their earnings by an average of 75 percent compared to the first week of Advent.
Managing director Sabine Hagmann told the “Stuttgarter Zeitung” and the “Stuttgarter Nachrichten” (Thursday): “This result fills us with a certain gratitude – it could have been worse.” Consumer sentiment and thus dealer sales have improved noticeably after the December emergency aid and the price brakes for electricity, gas and heat. In addition, the wintry weather and the early start of the holidays were good for business.
80 percent of the retailers surveyed described sales as “satisfactory”, “good” or “very good”. Customer sentiment was perceived as slightly better. For a good one in ten, however, business was “poor” or “unsatisfactory”. Nevertheless, Christmas business was significantly worse for the majority of retailers compared to 2019, i.e. the year before the pandemic. According to the survey, the minus is around 40 percent. A number that “surprises the association in height”. The number cannot be explained.
