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CHRISTMAS

Last minute shoppers give high street boost

The German retail industry received a much needed last minute boost this year, as panicking present-hunters logged off from the Internet and flocked to the shops in the week before Christmas.

Last minute shoppers give high street boost
Photo: DPA

Despite being too early for exact figures, the German Retail Federation (HDE) said on Monday that otherwise dwindling sales had picked up at the last minute, Der Spiegel news magazine reported.

In Berlin, perfume was a popular buy among desperate men rushing to find something for their loved ones while “under massive pressure,” said spokesman from the HDE Günter Päts. He added that when men were shopping last minute, money tended not to be a factor.

Shops in south western states had suffered badly during December as rainy weather deterred people from heading into town and seemed to push them onto the internet, where Christmas shopping turnover rose by 27.3 percent to €5.6 billion.

Shops in Hesse, central Germany, boomed though – its residents spent on average €256 on presents each. This was, the HDE said, way above the national average of €230.

Experts from the HDE have estimated a turnover of €80.4 billion from the festive season, which is an increase of just 1.5 percent on last year – lower than the rate of inflation.

But this could pick up as the Christmas shopping season technically stretches until New Year’s Eve, said Päts. This short span of time was vital for the industry as it was then that Germans headed out to spend gift money and vouchers.

The Local/jcw

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CHRISTMAS

Thousands more families in Denmark seek Christmas charity

A significant increase in families have sought Christmas help from the Danish Red Cross compared to last winter.

Thousands more families in Denmark seek Christmas charity

Higher process for food, electricity, gas and fuel are being felt by vulnerable families in Denmark, driving more to apply for Christmas packages offered by the Red Cross, broadcaster DR writes.

The NGO said in a statement that more people than ever before have applied for its Christmas help or julehjælp assistance for vulnerable families.

While 15,000 people applied for the charity last year, the number has already reached 20,000 in 2022.

“We are in an extraordinary situation this year where a lot more people have to account for every single krone to make their finances work,” Danish Red Cross general secretary Anders Ladekarl said in the press statement.

“For many more, their finances no longer work, and this is unfortunately reflected by these numbers,” he said.

The Red Cross Christmas assistance consists of a voucher worth 900 kroner redeemable at Coop stores or, in some stores, a hamper consisting of products.

READ ALSO: These are Denmark’s deadlines for sending international mail in time for Christmas

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