Red alarm level: vacancies in Austria Break records!

Red alarm level: vacancies in Austria Break records!

Wien, Österreich - More and more Austrian cities are suffering from empty shops, a terrifying trend that significantly changes the country's trade landscape. Up to 15.6 percent of the shops in small towns are closed, which represents an unprecedented increase in vacancies. According to the monitoring of the trade association, 5.5 percent of the sales areas have already lost in the large cities, while even 13 out of 16 areas had to record areas in small towns. Rainer Will, Managing Director of the Commercial Association, describes the situation as alarming and urgently demands measures to prevent the threatening desolation of the inner cities, such as The causes are diverse: the competition from online retailers, the drastic cost increases in rents, energy and wages as well as the weak consumer mood contribute to the bankruptcy wave of numerous retailers. Well -known companies such as Leiner, Pepco and Görtz had to close their doors, which is a worrying sign for the industry. Hannes Lindner from the advisory company Location+Markt warns: "We are slowly going out." The fashion trade has lost around 123,000 square meters of sales space in recent years, which corresponds to a decline of 20 percent, and the location is still exacerbated by the lack of attractive shopping, so krone.at .

urgent demands for saving the city centers

In order to counteract the crisis, the trade association urgently calls for relief for retailers, including reducing the non -wage costs and the abolition of the rental contract fee. The threat from Chinese online retailers such as Shein and Temu additionally tightens the situation. It wants to indicate that even a temporary lock of these platforms could be necessary to protect the trade. In 2024, Austrians spent around 1.5 billion euros from these dealers, who often violate health and security standards. "You are repeat offenders," explains and demands more effective controls and measures.

In a positive light, the opening of new sales areas such as the Vio Plaza in Vienna, which nevertheless cannot cure the general problem of vacancies. The big cities have to toast a rethink and develop new strategies to increase the attractiveness of their city center and support business. The retail is faced with a decisive turn, and without immediate measures there is a risk of deterioration in the situation.