Image: (APA/GEORG HOCHMUTH)
Complaints about poor visitor numbers were heard in a broadcast from shopping centers in Linz, Vöcklabruck and Ried. Only in Steyr were things in good spirits, where Saturday went somewhat normally. In all other places, the expectations of December 8th, which was also a busy shopping day, were even greater.
- Also read: Christmas business 2023: “People are spending more but giving less”
The consequences of the strikes announced by the private employees’ union – according to ORF Upper Austria, work was stopped in two fashion stores in the central area and in a Rieder supermarket in the morning – were therefore less serious than expected. The so-called Black Friday as the start of the Christmas shopping season was said to have had a very good start at all locations surveyed. In general, the first shopping Saturday would have lost some of its importance. A drop in customers like today would not have been expected in advance. The environmental influences were taken calmly.
- Snow chaos in Upper Austria: towns not accessible, power lines damaged
“No people in town”
“Yesterday there was a very good frequency, today there are no people in the city because of the snow chaos,” said Julia Kretz from the Linzer Passage. According to the tenants, people bought very purposefully today, and there were almost no tasters out and about. The clear trend, which was confirmed by all the merchants surveyed, was in the area of winter clothing. After an exceptionally warm autumn, the cold temperatures may have reminded customers to shop for warm textiles. The retail strikes announced by the union affected a large fashion store for about an hour. However, due to the already weak customer flow, the measure was less serious than expected.
- Also read on the topic: Fresh snow in Linz – Volksgarten and Bauernbergpark closed
Perchtenlauf canceled
In the Weber Row in Ried in the Innkreis Although there was no strike, the snow chaos prevented an already organized Perchtenlauf, where 3,000 visitors were expected, as center manager Christoph Vormair regretted. For many people, the center, which has a more rural structure, could only be reached by car; many towns are very difficult to pass. That’s why the frequency on Saturday afternoon was only 60 percent lower than last year, said Vormair. But the trend of necessary shopping was clearly visible: at a shoe store he passed, there were lines of customers getting winter boots.
High expectations for December 8th
In Vöcklabruck the shopping center filled up Varena only a little at lunchtime, as manager Thomas Krötzl reported. The bars were better attended afterwards, but they still fell far short of expectations. Krötzl also emphasized in the conversation how excited they were for next Friday, December 8th. The expectations were high, although it was immediately pointed out: “If the weather cooperates.” According to the weather, the trend among shoppers is in the area of sporting goods, with skis in particular being sought.
Lively activity in PlusCity
In Upper Austria’s largest shopping mall, the PlusCity in Passing near Linz, there was a lot of activity late on Friday afternoon. The Perchten rattled loudly through the center and the customers – probably also in view of the increasingly heavy snowfall outside – were mainly looking for winter shoes and clothing. There was also a rush in a sports store. However, in contrast to Saturday of the previous week, the last day of Black Friday Week, there were no crowds of people pushing through the aisles; strolling and looking at the windows was still possible, that was the impression during a tour.
This time the good news of the day came from the mall Hey! in Steyr. “We are well attended, even yesterday,” said director Maria Prims. The shopping temple, which has only been open since 2019, was able to compare today’s shopping day with those of previous years. Prims attributed this, among other things, to the city’s central location. The customers wouldn’t have to go that far into the center.
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