Supply Problems Worsening Again in German Retail
Supply problems in German retail have worsened again. In February, 76.3 percent of retailers said that they did not receive all the goods they ordered. In January, the figure was 57.1 percent. This is the finding of an ifo Institute survey. “The easing in January didn’t prove to be lasting,” says Klaus Wohlrabe, Head of Surveys at ifo. “That means there will continue to be some gaps on shelves for the time being.”
Significantly more supermarkets complained of supply bottlenecks than in the previous month: the share rose from 18.4 percent to 60.5 percent. The situation remains tense for sellers of toys, bicycles, and cars, with around 95 percent of businesses in each reporting supply problems. The furniture trade, too, faces a worsening situation: here, the share rose from 66.6 percent to 90 percent.
“Trade is currently facing many challenges. On the one hand, the outlook is improving with regard to the easing of Covid restrictions. But on the other, supply bottlenecks and inflation are weighing things down,” Wohlrabe says.
