Carinthia's trade is faltering: Cyber ​​Week as a lifeline?

Carinthia's trade is faltering: Cyber ​​Week as a lifeline?

The situation in Carinthian trade remains tense. A press conference by the WK Carinthia addressed the current difficult situation, which is characterized by a slight increase in sales of just 0.7 percent between January and August 2025. In addition, unemployment has increased and many jobs have been lost. Inflation continues to significantly weaken consumers' purchasing power. Given these challenges, a call to #buyhome is being launched to support local trade. The focus is on shopping more in local shops and Carinthian online shops in order to support jobs and regional structures. Massive parcel flows from third countries are also viewed critically, as they increase competition.

Against the background of this situation, Cyber ​​Week, which is considered to be the highlights with Black Friday and Cyber ​​Monday, is increasingly becoming the focus of retailers. According to klick-kaernten.at, around three out of ten Carinthians plan to shop on these days, with an average expenditure of 215 euros per person. Popular products include clothing, perfume, home appliances, electronics and games. Discounts act as an important incentive for purchases.

Challenges for regional trade

There are around 10,000 retail companies operating in Carinthia, employing more than 33,000 people. The total retail turnover amounts to 13.2 billion euros. The sector accounts for around a quarter of total sales in Carinthia, while it represents 16 percent of companies. Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are particularly affected by the challenges, as they suffer from increasing pressure from international online trade, rising costs and growing risks of insolvency. The operating profit in retail is currently 4.43 percent below the previous year's value and the number of profitable companies has fallen to 62 percent. WKO points out that the number of retail bankruptcies has doubled since 2022, with 19 percent of all corporate bankruptcies in Carinthia affecting retail.

The forecasts for the coming months are mixed: While slight improvements are expected in the clothing trade, consumer restraint is evident in the sporting goods trade. Consumers' purchasing mood remains subdued, which is mainly due to rising personnel costs and high operating expenses. Inflation in retail also exceeds the consumer price index, which is particularly noticeable for food. ORF Kärnten highlights that there is an urgent need for incentives for employers and employees to ensure trade stability and improve the economic perspective.

Overall, the importance of online visibility for local businesses has increased. Many consumers research information online, compare prices and make purchases both online and in store. Markus Miklautsch emphasizes the need to view the online presence as a supplement to stationary retail. An initiative that can be found at wko-onlinehelden.at offers free advice and digital tools to support Carinthian companies. The aim is to strengthen local trade in competition with international platforms and to use the Christmas business as a timely opportunity.