Association calls for emergency aid: Urban traders fear for existence

Unlike in spring, stores may remain open in the current lockdown light. But the customers stay away. Sales are falling steadily. Almost 60 percent of the retailers in the city centers now fear for their existence. The trade association is now calling for rapid relief measures.

Despite the fact that shops are open in partial lockdown, the concerns about the existence of retailers are not diminishing: Almost 60 percent of retailers in city centers see their livelihoods at risk due to lower customer numbers and sales, as a survey by the German Retail Association (HDE) shows among a good 500 companies. Accordingly, the decline in sales last week averaged more than a third compared to the previous year.

According to the survey, the number of customers was last 43 percent below the previous year's level. "The lockdown light ensures that in many cases the retailers in the city centers can no longer work economically", complained HDE managing director Stefan Genth. "Despite the shop doors being open, many livelihoods are in danger here."

Before the renewed federal-state consultations on the corona countermeasures, the trade association therefore reiterated its call for the federal government's emergency aid to be opened to retailers and for adjustments to bridging aid. "Politicians have promised not to leave companies alone with the consequences of the pandemic. Now it is time to keep this promise for inner-city retail as well," explained Genth.