Saxon retailers are disappointed with the Christmas business so far. "Overall, the predominantly very mixed Christmas business has picked up speed towards Christmas Eve, but unfortunately this has not yet been enough to fulfill the hopes and expectations of a large proportion of retailers," René Glaser, Managing Director of the Saxony Retail Association, told the German Press Agency in Dresden on Friday. The typical last-minute purchases were also limited overall. According to initial, still cautious forecasts, retail sales would be down on the previous year in real terms.
According to Glaser, the signs for Christmas business were already not very encouraging. This was compounded by unfavorable weather conditions at the end of November and beginning of December. "Our hope now, however, is that a small final rally will develop in the days after the festive period - i.e. the days between the years, when many people traditionally visit Saxony, go on vacation and spend money on gifts - and that the retailers' final balance sheet at the end of the year will still be conciliatory."
