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German bookshops are reopening on Monday 8th March as part of a phased strategy of easing coronavirus restrictions.
The move was announced this week after a nine-hour marathon video conference between Chancellor Angela Merkel and the heads of the 16 individual German states.
The country went into its second lockdown on 16th December, leaving only a restricted number of retailers such as supermarkets, food stores and pharmacies open that were deemed essential. Bookstores, florists, garden centers and DIY stores have now been added to that list.
As with the first lockdown, which lasted six weeks in March and April 2020, stores are required to follow a strict regime of health and hygiene measures, including social distancing and wearing face masks at all times. Entry will be closely monitored with only one customer per 10 sq metres allowed in stores with selling space of up to 800 sq metres, and one more customer for each additional 20 sq metres.
The mood among physical booksellers had deteriorated rapidly in recent weeks after sales plummeted. According to monitor Media Control, sales in brick-and-mortar stores were down 48.9% in January and 36.1% in February. The fact that bookstores in Berlin and neighbouring states Sachsen-Anhalt and Brandenburg remained open during the lockdown further fuelled tensions.
Michael Busch, the c.e.o. of market leader Thalia Mayersche, became the public face of angry booksellers. Following a candid interview on Sunday (28th February) with the leading tabloid Bild am Sonntag, he appeared on television on a popular talk show, reiterating his argument that not only booksellers but all retailers need a strategic perspective to get through the pandemic. Busch didn’t mince words when he addressed politicians, saying: “If you don’t act now you risk the demise of stores at an unprecedented level.”
In his interview with Bild am Sonntag Busch acknowledged that the pandemic is eating into the market leader’s funds for future investments. He estimated the damage for Thalia Mayersche to be in “the high double-digit range”, a sum that would normally be invested in the business over three years.