Christmas sales in the southwest kick off modestly, retailers remain hopeful
Despite a modest beginning, southern retailers maintain a cautiously optimistic outlook for the festive season. Evidenced in a retail sector report published by the Baden-Württemberg Retail Association (HBW) on Monday, half of the surveyed stores reported sales of Christmas presents. Simultaneously, 70% of retailers observed customer hesitance towards purchases. Generally, sales fell by approximately 12% compared to the same period last year.
HBW Managing Director Sabine Hagmann echoed a generally optimistic outlook for the entire Christmas retail season, stating: "Historically, people prioritize gift-giving during the holidays regardless of economic circumstances." Additionally, Hagmann predicted a continuation of the trend towards late-season shopping.
The survey indicated that, overall, 46% of retailers anticipate a notable sales increase compared to the previous year. Conversely, 18% expect no changes, while 36% foresee a decline in sales.
Sales in the southwest are particularly significant for numerous retailers, the HBW points out. Some sectors may generate up to 40% of their yearly revenue in the final quarter. The survey polled 298 retailers for its findings, representing diverse retail sectors.
While southwest retail sales have had a slow start to the holiday season, many retailers remain positive about the overall Christmas retail outlook. The survey suggests that 46% of retailers expect a sales increase compared to the previous year. Moreover, the southwest holiday season holds crucial significance for a significant number of retailers, with some sectors generating up to 40% of their annual revenue during this period.
Enrichment Data:
The cited sources do not specifically discuss the forecast for the Christmas retail season in the southwest of Germany or any other region. Nonetheless, they provide insights into broader economic and market trends such as aviation and real estate, which could be conducive to initial economic assessments but do not directly analyze retail business prognostications.
For Region-specific Christmas retail season forecasts, one must refer to surveys conducted by local business associations or economic research institutions focusing on regional retail trends. Generally, such surveys could be accessible through these associations' official websites.
