ifo Institute: German Companies Expect Restrictions on Public Life for Another 8.5 Months
German businesses expect coronavirus restrictions on public life to continue for another 8.5 months. This finding is based on responses to a special question in the latest ifo Business Survey, conducted in July. Service providers expect restrictions to last 8.9 months, trade expects 8.6 months, construction 8.2 months, and manufacturing 7.8 months.
Companies in the leisure sector in particular fear a longer period of restrictions: 13.0 months. Those in the arts activities business and those in restaurants and catering expect 11.0 months. The education and training sector expects 10.0 months on average. In accommodation,
ompanies expect restrictions of around 9.3 months, while companies in the storage sector expect 8.3 months. Companies for postal and courier services expect the shortest period of restrictions on public life: 6.6 months on average.
In industry, manufacturers of leather, leather products, and footwear expect the longest period of restrictions at 11.2 months. Clothing manufacturers expect a further 9.3 months and textile manufacturers 9.0 months. The chemical industry expects 8.2 months and mechanical engineering 7.9 months. Beverage producers’ expectations are the shortest at 6.4 months.
Wholesalers expect 8.4 months, retailers 8.8 months.
