Weimar loses after 33 years: Toy shop goes forever!
Weimar loses after 33 years: Toy shop goes forever!
Another chapter closes in the Thuringian retail: The toy shop "Michael’s Toyginal" will close its doors in the "Atrium" shopping center in Weimar at the end of the year. After 33 years of successful business activity, owner Michael Rott looks back on the past few years, but the reasons for the closure are sobering. Recovers of sales during Corona pandemic and increasing online trading have strongly added to the popular business. Rott has been using the last few weeks to offer a final sale with a 40 percent discount on his range, which includes family games, fidget spinners and homework books. His loyal regular customers, which also include many kindergartens, will certainly welcome a possible donation of unsuccessful items. With the closure, five employees also lose their jobs, which increases the sad occasion.
But Weimar does not remain the only fate that the challenges of retailers feel. Tanja Steinhaus is also planning to close her toy business in Bodenfelde, which has existed for 32 years. After 12 years in the company management, she sees increasing competitive pressure exposed to online trading. An example from her everyday life that illustrates the problem: A mother came into the store to look at a Lego game station that she had already ordered online. Despite the expert advice that you and her employee offer Bärbel Vogt, sales are behind the expectations. "It is like the business is just a hobby," says Steinhaus, since the end of the month often doesn't even remain the minimum wage.
The challenges of retail
What is going on is symptomatic for the entire industry: retail in Germany is facing massive challenges. According to current reports, over 88 billion euros in sales in online trading are now generated, which is strongly at the expense of inpatient providers. Corona pandemic accelerated this trend considerably and let the sales decrease in many segments. Small, owner -managed shops come under pressure, while large chains keep a growing market share. The economic situation of many retailers remains tense, and a trend towards increased concentration on fewer providers can be observed.
It is particularly problematic that the number of smaller companies in retail is constantly decreasing. "Purchase and department stores have almost arrived at the end of their relevance"- so you could summarize the current state of affairs. Their market share has dramatically reduced, and consumers' willingness to pay has also changed. This change, coupled with the increasingly dominant online trade, confronts stationary retailers with enormous difficulties.
How will small, classic business in this new world be able to assert themselves? One thing is certain: local retail is facing difficult times, and many entrepreneurs have to find creative solutions to defy the growing challenges. In the meantime, the community remains in demand, the loyal customer loyalty maintains and finds common paths in order to preserve the analogue world. One thing is outside of every discussion: the elimination of another toy shop not only hurts the operators, but also the entire community.
For everyone who appreciates the small shops in their neighborhood, it is now time to show flag and support local trade!
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Ort | Weimar, Deutschland |
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