Saxony Trade Association draws a mixed balance

The Saxony Retail Association sees Christmas business as rather mixed and is now hoping for a final spurt towards the end of the year. "Overall, we are drawing a rather mixed balance so far," Managing Director René Glaser told the German Press Agency in Dresden. Depending on the sector and location, the development has been very different, which is why there is no uniform picture.

Last-minute shoppers boosted business once again

"Some retailers were satisfied, but some were also disappointed by the course of business - expectations and hopes were not fulfilled," said Glaser. Last week, and not least because of the many last-minute shoppers, business picked up again and gained momentum. Last weekend, people were probably noticeably more restrained in some places in light of the terrible tragedy in Magdeburg and the associated uncertainty.

Reticence to buy in the face of crises and cost increases

"In terms of sales, we are roughly at the same level as the previous year if you look at the retail sector as a whole," said Glaser. However, it should be noted that the initial situation for this year's Christmas business was very volatile. It was consistently influenced by difficult economic and social conditions with major uncertainties, crises and, above all, cost increases.

"Ease" of consumption is lacking

"Overall, Christmas business this year therefore faced a very challenging situation. What's more, consumption is also always a little connected to psychology and a good gut feeling - to a certain extent, there was a lack of ease this year due to the general conditions," said the head of the association, describing the situation.

With regard to individual sectors, Glaser emphasized that toys, drugstore and cosmetic products, books and consumer electronics were particularly in demand for this year's Christmas shopping. "In many places, food retailers were also satisfied. As in previous years, gift vouchers were also very frequently sold."

Trade also hopes for final spurt at the end of the year

"The Advent weeks are usually followed by a good end-of-year spurt, which means that gifts are often sold again on the days in between, when many people traditionally visit or go on vacation. We hope that this will boost sales and that year-end business will be boosted once again, bringing the year in retail to a conciliatory close," said Glaser.

The Saxony Retail Association does not expect the big exchanges to start after the festive season because people are not satisfied with their presents or the size of their clothes does not fit. "Experience has shown that this is limited here. On the one hand, the Saxons always buy very specifically and also very thoughtfully, and on the other hand, more and more vouchers are being given away, so exchanging is no longer as important as it perhaps used to be."