Decrease in net sales excluding retail

Germany’s HDE surveyed about 900 retailers about their sales prospects for this year. According to the survey, nearly half of German retailers expect sales to be at or slightly above the previous year’s level, and about a third expect sales to be slightly below. , 18% expect a significant decline in sales.

“While we continue to face challenges, the retail sector is holding up well into 2023. However, we are losing a slight foothold. However, digitalization continues to bring great benefits and opportunities,” said Alexander von Preen, President of HDE.

HDE itself expects price-adjusted sales to decline 3% this year. A real forecast of minus 3% equates to a nominal plus of 2%, according to the association.

Online trading continues to be the engine of growth. HDE expects nominal growth of 8% year-over-year for this subsector. This equates to a price-adjusted growth of 4%.

The HDE survey found that 36% of respondents run their own online shops, 19% sell products on online marketplaces, and some respondents use both models. says. However, 56% of them do not sell products on the Internet.

“Since then, digitization has become a big part of the retail sector. I’m here.

After corona-related business shutdowns, small businesses should be supported in the future with coaching and depreciation options as financial reserves are being depleted due to crisis, von Prien pleads .

Addressing the shortage of skilled employees is also critical to a successful trade. Despite the crisis, the sector has continued to expand vacancies over the past few years, but not all vacancies can be filled.

As of June 30, 2022, more than 3.1 million people are now employed in the retail sector, representing an increase of 1.6% compared to June 2021, according to figures from the Federal Employment Office. However, according to HDE research, 63% of retailers are suffering from a labor shortage.

von Prien: “In the future we have to do an even better job of marketing and valuing the retail trade and its jobs with various development opportunities. The Federal Employment Office figures more than 50,000 in this sector. of jobs are vacant, which is a major challenge, especially for an industry in transition.”

To address this shortage, HDE recently launched a training campaign called “Karriere Handel” (Career Trade). In addition, the association seeks to raise awareness of the opportunities and benefits that dual vocational training can offer, as well as investment and innovation initiatives in technical schools.