Supply Situation Easing in German Retail for Christmas
German retailers’ supply problems have eased slightly in the holiday season, finds an ifo Institute survey. In December, 62.2 percent complained about supply bottlenecks, down from 71.1 percent in November. Moreover, there was a notable further decrease in pessimism among retailers regarding the months ahead. “This easing has come at just the right time for many businesses in the trade sector,” says Klaus Wohlrabe, Head of Surveys at ifo. “However, there will still be gaps on shelves.”
The situation among toy retailers has eased appreciably, with only just under one-third reporting missing goods. The situation is similar for bicycle dealers and in clothing retail. Among DIY stores, the share also fell to below 50 percent. The consumer electronics trade continues to be the hardest hit, with almost all businesses reporting supply bottlenecks. The situation also remains problematic in automotive and household appliance businesses and in supermarkets, where around 86 percent complained of a lack of goods in each case.
