Covid regulation: Business representatives from Lower Austria protest against grocery chains: “Completely unacceptable”
Paper shops are closed, the discounters resell the products
An initiative of the Lower Austrian Economic Association calls on the grocers Spar, Lidl and Hofer to adhere to the Covid Emergency Measures Ordinance and to limit their range in an open letter. In order to prevent unfair competition, toys, consumer electronics, flowers or sporting goods should not be offered at the moment.
“We appeal to your solidarity and your reputation as a reliable partner: Follow the instructions of the Covid-19 Emergency Measures Ordinance and limit your range to typical grocery products. The sale of other product groups must be stopped immediately! “, It says in the open letter. It was signed by top representatives of the Lower Austrian economy, above all Jochen Danninger, President of the Economic Chamber, Wolfgang Ecker.
Typical range of goods
According to the regulation, only goods that correspond to the typical range of goods in the grocery trade may be offered during lockdown. However, Spar, Lidl and Hofer recently made it clear in a broadcast that they do not want to adhere to the government's requirements because, according to the Covid-19 Measures Act, the Minister of Health can order the closure of shops, but he has no authorization to who have opened to restrict their product range.
The smaller dealers don't see that. The open letter goes on to say: “The fact that, in contrast to other competitors in retail and regional local supply, you do not restrict your assortment contrary to the current legal situation is completely unacceptable,” the supporters of the open letter express their protest. “With this behavior you are not only jeopardizing the success and the effect of the lockdown. It is an unsuitable attempt to increase your sales at the expense of other traders and lacks any solidarity with those entrepreneurs who currently have to keep their shops closed. “
