The desire to buy among people is usually greater before Christmas than usual. This time, however, things are going sluggishly. The head of the Baden-Württemberg trade association remains confident despite inflation - and hopes for the weather gods.
Stuttgart (dpa / lsw) - The Christmas retail trade in the southwest got off to a slower start than in 2021 - but this is not only due to inflation, but also to the weather. "It is the case that we are 10 to 15 percent below the previous year," says the head of the Baden-Württemberg trade association, Sabine Hagmann, of the German Press Agency. But she is confident about the days and weeks to come before Christmas. "We still have hope that things will improve significantly."
The weather hasn't really got people into the Christmas spirit yet, as Hagmann says. "All in all, it's just that it's not that cold for Christmas yet. You don't really believe that Christmas will be here soon. That plays a very important role for us," explains the 58-year-old.
According to Hagmann, some retail sectors live at least 25 percent from the Christmas business - for example the book trade and the toy industry. "Of course, Christmas is particularly important this year because we had two difficult Christmas celebrations, where the lights were turned off shortly before Christmas due to the corona, so to speak," says Hagmann, who has been at the head of the Baden-Württemberg trade association for more than 20 years .
Hagmann wishes that politicians would advertise more for the inner cities. "During the Corona crisis, the politicians said: Don't go to the stationary retail trade, stay at home! What if they said now: Definitely go to the stationary retail trade, go to the city centers, shop!"
From Hagmann's point of view, politics is currently spreading too much unrest and negative mood that the economy cannot use. Instead, she calls for clear decisions from politicians. It's important to know where you stand. "Then inflation won't play such a big role. Then you can plan as a consumer, as a consumer."
