HDE is calling for effective Corona aid before the economic summit
With a view to tomorrow's economic summit with Federal Minister of Economics Peter Altmaier, the German Trade Association (HDE) is calling for a transparent and fair plan to reopen all shops. The association also advocates for changes to state Corona aid.
“Politicians must now deliver what they have promised for a long time: a fair plan for exiting the lockdown based on transparent criteria. Things can no longer go on like they have in the last few months. There needs to be more predictability,” says HDE Managing Director Stefan Genth. The retail sector has proven in the last few months that even with incidence rates over 50 or 35, they can use their functioning hygiene concepts to ensure that shopping does not become a hotspot. That is why the industry deserves a step-by-step plan with the aim of reopening.
The HDE also expects that the economic summit will be about making Corona aid more efficient and fair. “The bridging aid has been being worked on for months and in the end there is still only a partially sensible solution. This needs to be improved as soon as possible. Otherwise, many retailers will not receive it at all or not enough,” Genth continues. The HDE, for example, criticizes the fact that companies with an annual turnover of more than 750 million euros are left completely empty-handed when it comes to bridging aid. In addition, the association sees the owners of many small and medium-sized companies at risk of falling into poverty because they are not allowed to pay business wages from state funds. The industry also sees it as unfair and unequal treatment with the catering industry that retailers are not taken into account in the December aid.
“The economic summit with Minister Altmaier must bring solutions. This shouldn't just be a show event. Retail expects everything will be done to get as many businesses as possible through this difficult time. “We have to speed up now,” says Genth.
