Batten down the hatches: Sloppy sales on Advent's initial Saturday
ubernight survey conducted by the Baden-Württemberg Retail Alliance (HBW) unveiled skimpy sales during the kickoff of winter in the Southwest. On Sunday, the HBW declared that Advent's initial Saturday sales had plummeted by around 16%, according to the survey featuring approximately 200 retailers. The HBW attributed this downturn to treacherous roads and paths and scorching temperatures swirling through many areas, keeping folks indoors and away from physical retailers.
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- With snowflakes dancing and winter making its entrance, retailers in the Southwest anticipated a strong start for their Advent sales.
- However, the HBW's survey revealed that the first Saturday of Advent sales had actually declined by 16% compared to 2019 levels, largely due to winter's icy grasp on roads and sidewalks.
- The HBW pressed local authorities to prioritize winter road maintenance, as the grim conditions outside discouraged many customers from venturing into brick-and-mortar retailers over the weekend.
- Encouragement surfaced from several retailers in the Southwest, who remained hopeful that sales could rebound in the coming days as coronavirus restrictions loosen and weather improves.
- Shoppers in Stuttgart voiced their sentiments, with 40% of the surveyed group opting for a cozy weekend at home instead of braving the elements for a shopping spree.
- The HBW data also revealed brisk growth in double-digit online sales during the first weekend of Advent, demonstrating that customers were adapting to retail innovation in the face of the lingering pandemic.
