Vorarlberg trade: These industries bloom on despite the decline in sales!

Vorarlberg trade: These industries bloom on despite the decline in sales!

The Vorarlberg trade again recorded a decline in sales of real -1.8 percent in 2024, which means the third decline in a row. According to the report of vorarlberg.orf.at , wholesale is particularly affected, which remains in crisis mode and has a decline in -3.5 percent in terms of inflation. In contrast, the retail trade was able to achieve real growth of +2.4 percent, led by the food retail trade, which nominal increased by +5.2 percent. The retail employment market remains stable while wholesale and the vehicle industry have lost jobs.

important developments in trade

After intensive negotiations, employers and employees in the trade division have concluded a collective agreement for the next two years. As krone.at , employees receive a salary increase of 3.3 percent in trade in 2025. An increase of 0.5 percent above the rolling inflation is planned for 2026. The current discussions showed that "painful compromises" were necessary, but it was agreed that this set positive signals for the employees in difficult times. In addition, the apprentice fee increased to 1000 euros for the first year of apprenticeship.

The negotiations began in October 2024, with the GPA union initially requesting an increase of 4.8 percent. The agreement made impending strikes averted, which represents a further expression of the need to cooperate in times of crisis. The forecasts for 2025 are more positive, with an expected olive economic recovery in the trade, in which the respective economic output could increase by 0.6 percent