Bakers in Groitzsch are temporarily closing: a lack of staff is the reason!

Bakers in Groitzsch are temporarily closing: a lack of staff is the reason!

In Groitzsch there are currently not only unexpected personnel problems, but also major challenges for the local bakery. Master baker Jens Hennig's branch in the Netto market will remain temporarily closed, which means a big change for many in town. This is due to an acute staff shortage caused by sickness-related absences and layoffs. From a regular team of four employees, only one is available. What is particularly striking is that one employee is pregnant, which makes the situation even more difficult.

Hennig, who operates a total of 88 sales outlets in the Leipzig district and northern Saxony, hopes that the situation can be stabilized by the Christmas holidays. Despite paying a minimum wage, he also struggles with recruiting staff, especially for Saturday work, which is a well-known problem in the industry. The increasing requests for bakery goods, especially in the run-up to Christmas, could actually be affected by this bottleneck.

The rising minimum wage and its consequences

From January 1, 2026, the minimum wage will be increased to 13.90 euros per hour, which will further increase it to 14.60 euros in 2027. These changes were already decided by the Minimum Wage Commission on June 30, 2025 and are triggering mixed feelings within the industry. The Central Association of the German Bakery Trade sees the increase as a positive but possibly not sufficient step. President Roland Ermer has expressed the industry's concerns that many companies will find it difficult to cover the new wages without having to adjust prices, which in turn could lead to a loss of customers. Master baker Hennig is already planning to increase prices moderately to cushion the economic pressure.

The developments to date have meant that the bakery trade has been confronted with challenges in recent years such as pandemic-related closures and rising energy costs. Dr. Friedemann Berg, general manager of the central association, is therefore in favor of a rethink in politics. The prerequisite is the creation of better framework conditions for companies, such as reducing bureaucracy and tax relief.

The impact on the industry and customers

What does this mean for customers in Groitzsch? While the bakery is closed, you can find alternatives in the Rewe market or in the city center. But the growing bankruptcies in the region could also have a direct impact on consumers' purchasing power. Many companies are fighting for survival because they are at risk due to increased wage costs and the general economic situation.

In this predicament, it is not just the bakers who are affected, but the entire industry. In order to secure the future of the baking trade, it is important that there is a political response to the current challenges. In the longer term, the industry's competitiveness could only be guaranteed through comprehensive reforms and positive economic development.

Given all these developments, it remains to be seen whether Jens Hennig and his team can overcome the challenges before Christmas is around the corner. For many, a return to normality is the goal that many hope for.