Situation in retail trade of Germany after euro introduction.
Situation in retail trade of Germany after euro introduction.
In six months after introduction in the cash reference of the uniform
The European currency the population of Germany is more and more convinced that
The euro is the reason of growth of retail prices. Researches,
The protection of the rights of consumers spent by the unions, the newspaper "Die writes
Welt ", show, that buyers have been deceived. Growing
The discontent from the population marks as well Federal
Statistical department (FSV), which as specifies the press, to
This time tried not to co-ordinate a rise in prices for the goods and services with
Introduction in the reference of uniform European currency.
However now, as the head of department has declared
Monitoring of prices FSV H.-item Hannapel, "the developed discussion
Has served as an occasion to carrying out of new investigation ".
Elementary calculations of ordinary buyers have shown, that the prices
On the separate goods and services have grown more than on 30 %. However
There are examples and more considerable rise in price. So, in
A number of shops kochannyj salad, bakery products and
Some other goods now stand in euro as much, how much
Earlier in stamps. It means a rise in price almost on 100 %. There is Enough
Sharply (approximately on 18,3 % from the beginning of year) the prices for vegetables were raised,
Though usually such rise in price is seasonal. Essentially
The prices have increased in restaurants and bars (in 80 % of cases - on 30 %), and
Also at the "fast food" enterprises.
At first the unions of protection of the rights of consumers, as well as Federal
Statistical department, considered, that a rise in price problem
Will disappear together with simultaneous circulation of two currencies. Transitive
The period when in Germany there was in circulation a stamp and euro,
Has ended on February, 28th, 2002
Now the opinion of these unions has changed. So, the Center of protection of the rights
Earth consumers Northern Rhine-Westphalia expresses concern
In connection with a stream of complaints of consumers on a rise in prices. From the beginning of year in
The centre 1369 complaints have arrived. In the majority of them it is noticed, that
As a principal cause of a rise in price of the goods and services the trading
The enterprises name euro introduction. Though firms, in the relation
Which actions complaints are made, it deny.
Many enterprises of retail trade, selling the goods (in
Particulars, TVs) under the same price, as earlier, but
Counted in euro, assign fault for increase of the prices on
Manufacturers. Many complaints arrive on a rise in price
Drinks, that trade enterprises speaks also introduction
Euro. Often the insignificant rise in prices, in such cases is observed
Firms are justified by that "increase of the prices has occurred in connection with
Re-equipment of automatic machines on euro reception ".
Sale of the goods of long using (first of all such,
As furniture, textile products, electronics) in Germany
It was essentially slowed down. A furniture sales volume in I quarter 2002
It was reduced to 14 %, textile products and household electronics - on
12 %, products from glass, porcelain and ceramics - on 7 %, footwear - on
6 %, products from a skin, sportswear and sport stock - on 5 %,
Hours, ornaments, books, colours - on 2 %, a foodstuff - on
1 %. As a whole volume of retail trade in Germany, by estimations
The federal union of German retail trade, in I quarter 2002
It was reduced on 3 - 4 % in comparison with the similar period
Last year.
Trade enterprises justify a policy of a rise in prices
Substantial growth of taxes and in the cold winter which has entailed for
Itself a rise in price of some foodstuff. In protection of the trading
Firms the Berlin institute of economic researches has acted also,
Declared in one of the publications, that "though in the retail
To trade also there was some increase of the prices, it is not called
Euro introduction ".
According to bank experts, a rise in prices wave in Germany
Will soon go on recession. Economists "Dresdner Bank" believe, that
In the summer of current year the rise in prices will not exceed 1,5 % in comparison with
The similar period of last year.
In retail trade abstention of clients from purchases
Becomes more and more notable. According to Federal
Statistical department which differ from estimations a little
The federal union of German retail trade, a turn of last
In March of current year has decreased in comparison with March, 2001 on
3,2 %, and without a rise in prices - on 4,5 %.
Thus the population did not limit itself in acquisition
Foodstuff and tobacco products. A turn of retail trade
(In the current prices) a foodstuff, drinks and tobacco
Products for I quarter has increased on 1,9 %, while
neprodovolstvennymi - it was reduced to 5,2 % (including
Textile, garments and footwear has decreased on 4,1 %,
Household goods and the tool - on 8,9 %,
Cosmetics, the pharmaceutical goods and medicine has increased on
1,3 %).
The volume posylochnoj trade for the specified period was reduced on
1,7 %. Supermarkets and department stores of self-service have achieved the best
Results, than specialised shops of retail trade
Foodstuff. A turn of retail trade
neprodovolstvennymi was on 6,2 % less, than one year ago.
Poll has shown, that every second German in
Current year is compelled to refuse large purchases. Thus in
East earths a share of the population, decided to limit in
Purchases, has made 63 %, and in western - 52 %.
Experts from bank circles have characterised the price
The policy spent by trading enterprises as "the drama
Error ". Nevertheless, they expect some growth of a turn in
To retail trade as a whole for a year. Thus they start with that,
That in second half of current year ponizhatelnaja the tendency
Developments of an economic conjuncture will stop.
Situation deterioration in retail trade became so
Obvious, that in it are compelled, were to interfere and politicians. Through
4,5 months after transition to new currency the Federal chancellor
Germany G.SchrÃ?der has called consumers refusal of purchases
To "fine" those dealers whom it is artificial overestimate the prices.
Soon after that appeal the Minister of Finance of Germany H.Ajhel
Has suggested consumers "to boycott shops, in which prices
Have been overestimated in the course of an exchange of cash ". It critically
Has expressed to those who used introduction of euro for
Increases of the prices. Though in due time the enterprises of retail trade,
Public catering and service sphere voluntary
Have agreed not to suppose it. At the same time he has noticed, that
"Full refusal of purchases would be erroneous". The contribution of the personal
Consumption in economy development makes almost 60 %.
The opposition, writes "Handelsblatt", has rejected as
The "insolvent" discussion begun by G.SchrÃ?der and H.Ajhelem about
Price inflation in connection with transition to euro. The owner of a network
Shops, member HSS, G.Mihelbah has declared, that the state
It is guilty in a rise in prices. It has reminded that in the beginning of year
The government has increased rates of the ecological tax, and also
The tax to tobacco and insurance duties. In its opinion, boycott
Purchases not only will harm to retail trade, but also becomes
Brake of economic development of the country.
Representatives of the unions of protection of the rights of consumers reproach
The government in that it has committed errors in the course of introduction
Euro in the cash reference. As they said, writes "HandelsblÐ tt",
One of serious errors of the government consists that it
Counted on voluntary performance by trade enterprises
Obligations not to rise in the price. In this respect, it is marked in
To the newspaper, the government of the Austria which has declared, that has correctly arrived
To those enterprises which will not adhere to an interdiction on
Increase of the prices, fines at the rate to 7 thousand euro threaten.
In statistical reports increase of the prices in connection with transition on
Euro looked insignificant enough: the European
Statistical department - evrostat - has defined, that transition on
The euro has caused an inflation gain in annual calculation only
On 0,16 %. An inflationary component from introduction of euro for Germany
Experts estimate in 0,5 %. Official statistical data to
This time is not present, as as it is marked in one of publications FSV,
"From the scientific point of view influence of introduction of euro on a price level not
Gives in to exact definition ". However to federal statistics,
Writes "Handelsblatt", "obvious increase of the prices" is known precisely, that
Has occurred in sphere of services, while consumer goods
Long using have fallen in price.
At the same time from the point of view of experts of the Federal union
The consumer centres of the price raised is more often, than went down. About
It results of the analysis of dynamics spent by the union testify
The prices for 822 goods. The prices approximately on 32 % of the investigated goods with
June, 2001 till February, 2002 have increased on 40 %.
Nevertheless, representatives of the Central union of the German
Retail trade assert, that retail trade not
Used euro with a view of increase of the prices. With the similar statement
The German union of hotels and restaurants and committee have acted on
To trade of the German congress of commercial and industrial chambers. (On
To materials of a trade and economic bureau at Embassy of the Russian Federation in Germany,
Berlin).
The author: LS.
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//* an information Source: BIKI, 6.07.02
//* Reg. Nom. - 1120700128.01-------------------------------------------
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