Crisis mood in Tyrolean trade: Every third company closes!

Crisis mood in Tyrolean trade: Every third company closes!

Landeck-Zams, Österreich - The economic situation in Tyrolean trade remains tense, as the current figures prove. According to the Tyrolean Chamber of Commerce, sales in retail sank by 2.8 percent in 2024, while online the price increase had no influence and recorded growth of 3.6 percent. This discrepancy illustrates that many inpatient retailers have difficulty assisting themselves against large platforms. The chairman of the Handel division, Dieter Unterberger, points out that inflation and the resulting uncertainty lead to a continued decline in expenses, which also exacerbates the situation of the trading companies, as well as tirol.orf reports.

alarming closures in the trade

2024 was the second year in a row with a sales minus, which resulted in 35 percent more retail businesses to close than in 2021. Wolfgang Feucht, chairman of the Tyrolean fashion retailers, and Katrin Brugger, spokeswoman for the Tyrolean sporting goods dealer, commented on this development. They emphasize that without timely measures not only companies, but also jobs and the attractiveness of the inner cities could be lost. The paper and toy trade, which has suffered a sales of 7.5 percent, is particularly affected, since many consumers put purchases back or to access cheaper alternatives, said Verena Wieser, the chairwoman of the industry. Gabriel Winkler, jeweler and chairman of the Landeck-Zams merchants, demands targeted support for companies to improve the situation, as well as feedback at Top.tirol

whereas the mood in stationary trade is cloudy, the regional online trade offers a glimmer of hope. Markus Schwarzenberger from the Tyrolean online retailers sees the digital sales increase an important opportunity for the future. The Tyrol Chamber of Commerce supports this development with advisory services in order to increase the online visibility of dealers and thus remain competitive. Despite the difficult market conditions, trade in Tyrol remains a central employer, with 1,551 open positions in 2024. This situation illustrates the dilemma in which many companies are: profitability is crucial in order to be able to secure jobs in the long term, while the burglaries prevent a wave of discharge, as Unterberger explains.