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Christmas Shopping: Adjust Your Strategy Due to Potential strikes
With the Verdi union announcing warning strikes for the retail sector next week, it's advisable for consumers to reconsider their holiday shopping plans, suggests retail expert Thomas Roeb. Though the impact may be manageable, Roeb, from Bonn-Rhein-Sieg University of Applied Sciences, recommends shopping early to avoid potential disruptions. "It's better to be proactive and finish your shopping ahead of time to avoid any last-minute issues."
Generally speaking, Roeb anticipates only brief, isolated strike-related limitations in ongoing business during the week preceding Christmas. The food retail sector may fare better compared to others due to its essential nature.
Despite these warnings, retail industry leader Stefan Genth believes that the usual Christmas shopping will remain unaffected. Genth, from the German Retail Association (HDE), notes that retail companies have been efficient in mitigating the impact of past work stoppages on customers.
The ongoing negotions within the retail sector have pushed Verdi to call for warning strikes from Thursday to Saturday before Christmas Eve. The union's boss, Frank Werneke, urges employers to revisit the bargaining table to prevent strikes close to Christmas Eve. Employees have been waiting anxiously for a wage agreement for months.
In the ongoing negotiations, Verdi seeks at least a 2.50 euros hourly wage hike in all regions and a one-year wage agreement. These demands vary by federal state. The employers offered a 10% salary increase with an inflation-adjustment bonus for a 24-month term. According to Verdi, around 3.1 million people work in the retail sector, with 1.9 million in wholesale and foreign trade[1].
Further Insights
In the demands presented by the Verdi union, three key points stand out:
- A significant 8% salary increase: Verdi is pushing for an increase of at least 350 euros per month for employees.
- Enhanced working conditions: Verdi is advocating for improved working conditions to benefit employees.
- Reduced workload: The union seeks reduced workloads, including introducing three extra days off and flexible working hours.
Retailers, preparing for potential strikes during the Christmas shopping period, are likely adopting various strategies to cope with the challenges:
- Staffing adjustments: Retailers may adjust their staffing levels to maintain adequate coverage and potentially hire temporary help or adjust schedules.
- Communication with customers: Retailers will likely communicate with customers about potential disruptions and offer alternative shopping options or services to ensure a smooth shopping experience.
- Supply chain management: They might focus on efficiencies in their supply chains to ensure the availability of essential products during strikes.
- Strike contingency plans: Retailers would likely have contingency plans in place to manage strike impacts, including backup systems for operations and customer service.
[1] Source: www.stern.de
