Finance

Rewe stores want to give away masks free of charge for three days from Monday, Spar has not specified a time limit.

After the large grocery chains Hofer, Spar and Rewe (Billa, Merkur, Penny) were already selling the FFP2 masks required for shopping from Monday (25 January) at the low price of 59 cents each, the Rewe Group and Spar announced on Saturday to give the masks to their customers free of charge from Monday.

At Billa, Merkur and Penny, the offer is initially only valid until Wednesday, Spar has not announced a time limit.

Rewe had previously assured that there were enough masks, but because of the great “uncertainty of the population” they now want to provide every customer of Billa, Merkur and Penny with an FFP2 mask free of charge on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday of next week. “This offer is valid while stocks last at the respective location,” said a message on Saturday.

“The demand for FFP2 masks has been really high in the last few days,” said Rewe International board member Marcel Haraszti, according to the announcement. But there would be enough masks on Monday.

Delivered over five million masks

More than 5 million masks have already been delivered to Billa, Merkur and Penny, and another 15 million have been ordered. The other big chains have also already assured that they have enough masks.

The Spar group immediately followed suit and also announced that it would provide FFP2 masks free of charge. The free masks are given out at the entrance to the Spar, Eurospar, Interspar and Maxim markets; each customer receives a piece. The offer is also valid “while stocks last”, but without a time limit.

Spar also offers FFP2 masks for sale for EUR 0.59 each. For the time being, around 20 million certified FFP2 masks are in stock, it said on Saturday. The majority come from Austrian production.

Vodafone manager Hannes Ametsreiter wants to use cell phone data more to fight pandemics.

The Germany boss of the telephone company Vodafone suggests using cellular data more to combat the corona pandemic. Data protection does not currently allow this, said Austrian Hannes Ametsreiter to the news magazine “Der Spiegel”.

In view of the current number of cases on this point, he was wondering “whether we shouldn't jump over our shadow now,” the manager said according to an advance notice.

“Mobility data can help to cope with the crisis faster and better – so you should consider whether you could use it better,” emphasized Ametsreiter. “The big decisions in a pandemic should be made on the basis of as good and extensive a database as possible.”

He knows the system from Austria and thinks it is an approach worth thinking about. “You could draw conclusions about the mobility of certain groups of people or in certain areas,” said Ametsreiter. This could be used, for example, to track how travelers from risk countries had moved.

“Few problems” with anonymized data

He does not want to undermine data protection: As long as the data is passed on anonymously and no identities are disclosed, he sees “many advantages and few problems”.

Ametsreiter also speaks out in the “Spiegel” for a debate about a more far-reaching approach: “Personalized data would be a far-reaching step, but one should be able to think and talk about that.

Such restrictions of the current legal situation should be debatable – if that brings us back other freedoms sooner. “

The 54-year-old was critical of the German Corona warning app, which was co-developed by the Vodafone competitor Deutsche Telekom: It offers “in principle good opportunities – but the technological options should also be exhausted”.

From January 25th, an FFP2 mask must be worn in shops and on public transport. In some supermarkets, customers can get the mask free of charge.

According to the federal government, FFP2 masks will be required in retail from January 25th. The rush of customers for the FFP2 masks was just as great in the last few days as the uncertainty among the population. Billa, Merkur and Penny therefore provide every customer from Monday, January 25th. until Wednesday, January 27th the first FFP2 mask available for free. This offer is valid while stocks last at the respective location.

“The demand for FFP2 masks has been really high in the last few days. We have noticed that there is also great uncertainty about the availability of FFP2 masks,” explains REWE International AG board member Marcel Haraszti on Saturday.

And further: “That is why we have decided to counteract this and take the pressure off a bit by making the first FFP2 mask available to our customers free of charge from Monday during the first days of the FFP2 mask wearing.”

This means that customers can “shop with us safely and in accordance with the regulations of the federal government”, continues REWE International AG board member Marcel Haraszti.

In the past few days there has been an increased demand for FFP2 masks in the entire food trade. Sufficient masks will be available at the start of the FFP2 mask requirement on Monday, January 25th. Over 5 million masks have already been delivered to Billa, Merkur and Penny, and another 15 million have been ordered.

The masks are delivered regularly. This means that customers are reliably supplied, where masks are temporarily out of stock, replenishments are delivered from local producers.

Study: In 2020 Volkswagen, Daimler and the BMW Group exported 5.4 million vehicles to China.

The headquarters of the car manufacturer BMW in Munich.

The importance of the Chinese market for the German automotive industry has risen to a new record level. Four out of ten new cars are exported to China, reported the “Augsburger Allgemeine” on Saturday with reference to a study by the Center Automotive Research by the car expert Ferdinand Dudenhöffer.

In 2020, the German car companies Volkswagen, Daimler and the BMW Group exported 5.4 million vehicles to China.

That was 38.2 percent of the total of 14.16 million new vehicles sold worldwide. “The Chinese share of German car manufacturers has never been so high and it will continue to rise,” Dudenhöffer told the newspaper.

Accordingly, the export share rose, although the actual sales figures for German vehicles on the Chinese market fell slightly by 250,000 new vehicles. While BMW and Mercedes increased their sales, the VW group sold 383,600 fewer cars in China.

BMW increased its Chinese export share in 2020 compared to the previous year from 28.5 to 33.4 percent, Daimler from 25.3 percent to 30.6 percent and among the car brands of the Volkswagen Group, the share of the Chinese business is now 41.4 Percent, after 38.6 percent in the previous year.

VW and Audi are no longer conceivable without the China business, said Dudenhöffer. The importance of BMW is also growing. “The success and growth of the German auto industry, like economic growth in Germany, is shaped by China.”

Living is a topic that is preoccupying Austrians, and design awareness is increasing.

A lot has happened since the times when fitted carpets were just as omnipresent as wall construction in the living room. The desire for a better quality of life in the increasingly important retreat at home – also in the course of the lockdowns – is harbored by more and more people and population groups.

Inspiration for the home

“More and more men also want to live beautifully,” says Ulrike Nachbargauer, founder of the Vienna interior design studio UNA plans. “The time has usually come when life situations change, the children are outside, when open spaces are to be created, the living room is to be connected to the kitchen.” Getting advice and action from the professionals is usually good in advance informed, takes inspiration from Instagram and bloggers and has specific ideas about what should be changed.

Furnishing and design

The majority of Austrians take the design and furnishing of their private rooms into their own hands. We talked to a futurologist and two interior designers about what is important to people.

Privacy in the foreground

“Austrians tend to live conservatively,” observes trend researcher Oona Horx-Strathern: “The focus is on privacy.” Curtains and / or blinds in front of the windows are essential to prevent people from looking inside. It is completely different in Denmark and Holland, for example. Just like property in this country is often fenced in and clearly delimited. “Shares spaces and co-living are also difficult in Austria,” says Oona Horx-Strathern.

Fear of color

When it comes to furnishing, most people lack the courage “for colors, wallpapers and patterns,” says Yvonne Meindl-Cavar, interior designer and owner of Schönstil. “I see fear of color,” reveals Ulrike Nachbargauer from conversations with customers. “But that's understandable because new apartments are always painted white. There used to be colorful and designed walls, but that only changed with the new buildings of the post-war period. ”White and relatively bare walls are typical for Austrian apartments. “Color is only used in the decoration,” adds Yvonne Meindl-Cavar. And that makes the rooms restless.

Reduced facility

In general, the furnishings in Austria are either reduced and puristic – or the opposite, i.e. maximalistic. “The customer goes into a shop and buys everything there – and from the same material,” says the Schönstil expert. But atmosphere is created by a variety of colors and fabrics. “Smooth surfaces and glass are very cool. Open-pored materials such as textiles and wood are required to create cosiness. These can then be combined with smooth surfaces, ”says Ulrike Nachbargauer. “It is only through heirlooms, holiday memories and personal pictures that it becomes apparent who lives here,” adds Yvonne Meindl-Cavar.

Residential zones

In the case of open living concepts in particular, it is important to create zones and thus delimit the individual functions (cooking, eating and living) from one another. This is achieved with carpets, room dividers (a bookshelf) and furniture such as a sofa, which stands in the middle of the room. “Many people have no carpet or the wrong size carpet,” observes Yvonne Meindl-Cavar. The dining table and chairs must have plenty of space on the carpet, otherwise this area will appear to have shrunk.

Sofa and dining table

The dining table is the control center at home, where eating, talking, receiving joy and making decisions. The most important element in every central living room is the sofa, which “used to be planned much more in the direction of a television,” says Yvonne Meindl-Cavar.

TV set in the background

Because the TV set is getting bigger and bigger, but in times of Netflix it is becoming less important. After all, you can choose what to watch and when and do it more and more often on the tablet. This is why the TV set is increasingly disappearing behind sliding surfaces, mirrors or is part of a picture wall – and therefore not visible.

Multiple light sources

Where there used to be a central light outlet in the middle of the living room – due to the old building – the Austrians now rely on several light sources in each room. What is still missing in some of the apartments is indirect light and mood lighting. Because: “A room stands and falls with light, colors only come into their own with the lighting,” explains Ulrike Nachbargauer. Different lighting moods are required for different activities (working, reading a book, drinking tea). The lighting is often too bright.

Create storage space

One of the biggest difficulties in setting up is creating storage space. Because wardrobes look too bulky in small rooms such as children's rooms. “They dominate the room,” emphasizes Nachbargauer. Instead, a floor-to-ceiling cupboard row in the anteroom is ideal – if there is space for it – where all clothing is stored.

Sustainability is important

Sustainability is increasingly an issue for Austrians: pieces of furniture that are worth repairing or redesigning are in demand. Ecological facility could be strengthened by the pandemic. Oona Horx-Strathern: “Design has become more democratic, a lot is affordable.”

Companies know exactly: Apprenticeship training is an investment in the future. What the largest training companies offer.

For all those who are not eligible for high school diploma or university studies, the time is gradually approaching to look for an apprenticeship position for the autumn. And even if the pandemic has hit the apprenticeship market, the pressure is higher – in December there were 7,813 apprenticeship seekers compared to 4,533 open apprenticeships – jobs are still being advertised, companies are still looking for young talent.

Many large companies in Austria have long recognized the advantages of training apprentices and offer a whole range of modern and attractive apprenticeships. Where to apply for the coming apprenticeship year and which apprenticeships are offered.

ÖBB

2,100 apprentices are currently in training at ÖBB, but for the coming apprenticeship year starting in September 2021 you can apply for around 600 apprenticeship positions in 27 apprenticeships. Salary: From 780 euros gross in the first year to 1,500 euros in the third – successes are rewarded.

Pappas Holding

Around 380 apprentices work in the Pappas Holding, but they are also looking for: around 100 apprentices are to be accepted across all locations in Austria, seven apprenticeships are offered. Payment starts at 701.91 per month, depending on the profession.

Rewe Group

Around 2,000 apprentices are currently completing their apprenticeship each year in the Rewe Group (including Billa, Merkur or Penny). Every year around 700 apprentices start their training in 24 professions. Apprentices can also pursue a career by taking on branch management or management positions at headquarters.

Save

Spar employs over 2,480 apprentices in Austria, around 900 new ones are being sought for 2021, and there are 23 apprenticeships to choose from. Depending on the year of the apprenticeship, up to 140 euros per month is added to the salary, and bonuses of up to 220 euros per year for good vocational school certificates.

Wiener Städtische

Wiener Städtische offers 100 apprenticeships in insurance sales every year. There are currently around 150 apprentices in training. They receive an “apprenticeship remuneration based on collective agreement” and bonuses. Training, boarding school or travel expenses are covered.

voestalpine

Voestalpine is currently training over 800 apprentices at 16 locations in around 30 apprenticeships in Austria; around 300 apprenticeships are planned to be recruited from September. During the training, language trips, excursions and project days are offered.

Federal Army

The Armed Forces are currently looking for 100 apprentices to start work in September – there are currently around 260 apprentices in 36 apprenticeships in training. The search is on for operational logistics, aircraft technology and electronics, especially in Salzburg and Upper Austria.

Erste Bank Group

82 apprentices are currently being trained as bank clerks, and around 30 new apprentices will be hired from September. Income (gross): from 873.57 euros in the first year to 1,222.44 euros in the third. In addition, various bonuses and grants are paid out.

Austrian post

As of September, Swiss Post will be offering eight apprenticeships, the new ones being electrical engineer and buyer. Around 160 apprentices are wanted in 2021. Depending on the year of the apprenticeship, there are EUR 710.92 to 1,167.94 gross (retail) or EUR 789.40 to 1,491.32 (including electrical engineers).

XXX Lutz Group

At present, around 1,500 apprentices in Austria are being trained in 15 different professions, and there will be around 650 new apprenticeships for 2021. Apprentice compensation: 711.00 euros gross in the first year of apprenticeship, 914.00 euros in the second, with sales commissions and bonuses for school performance.

Austrian companies are not allowed to use the grading system for food at all, but you can still see it in local supermarkets.

Not many will have noticed it yet, but even in Austrian supermarkets you will find a few foods with a Nutri-Score rating emblazoned on their packaging. Austria is not yet part of the project – and domestic manufacturers are not even allowed to print the corresponding label if they want to.

However, this is allowed for foods that are imported from countries in which the Nutri-Score is already in use, for example France or Germany. This is why you can already find such a rating on many products from the large corporations Nestlé or Danone.

Isn't that a competitive disadvantage for domestic companies? Katharina Koßdorff, managing director of the food division in the Chamber of Commerce, contradicts: “If that should be a problem at all, it will be a short-term one.”

The EU Commission has announced that it intends to introduce a uniform, Europe-wide regulation for the labeling of food as early as 2022. However, it is questionable whether this will be the Nutri-Score in its current form.

From batteries to keys

There are other models within Europe that follow a similar approach: For example, the NutrInform battery comes from Italy, which is supposed to show what percentage of the average daily requirement of fat, sugar, etc. a product contains. In Scandinavia, a keyhole system is used that shows which foods should “enter” the body. Neither of them is perfect – the Nutri-Score should most likely be.

FFP2 masks are available in retail outlets for 59 cents. Those who are financially disadvantaged receive them free of charge, Anschober reveals where.

From next Monday there will be a tightened lockdown in Austria. From then on, an FFP2 mask must be worn in shops and on public transport. These are available in retail stores, pharmacies or online. The masks are now sold in local supermarket chains at a price of 59 cents each. As announced, the mask will be available free of charge for those with low incomes.

“The free FFP2 masks for low-income people enable health protection regardless of financial possibilities.” said Health Minister Anschober.

In a press release on Friday, the Ministry of Health announced where the free masks for the financially disadvantaged are available. In a first step, around 52,000 masks will be sent to homeless facilities , which will be made available to clients immediately. The extradition is carried out in cooperation with the armed forces.

From Saturday, the “Team Austria” boards , ie the social markets and food distribution points for low-income people, will also be able to get free FFP2 masks – 1 million pieces are available. Those are delivered by the Red Cross. In addition, the Ministry of Health is providing 10 million masks for the federal states to be passed on to social services. Further orders can be placed continuously if necessary, it says in the mailing.

“Now it's about making good use of the FFP2 mask.”

“I would like to thank the armed forces, the Austrian team, the Red Cross and those responsible in the federal states and institutions for the current distribution that they have mastered this great logistical challenge together so quickly in order to implement this important health measure – now it's about that to use the FFP2 mask well “, so the appeal of the Minister of Health, Anschober.

Vienna. Friday night was nerve-wracking even for die-hard Bitcoin investors. At two o'clock in the morning, the price of the oldest and most important cryptocurrency rattled at times to $ 29,000 before recovering a little. On Thursday morning, a unit had cost 35,000 euros. As always after such crashes, reasons were sought. Some market participants said that fear of stricter regulation under US President Joe Biden has caused Bitcoin to tumble.

Janet Yellen, who will head the Treasury, is said to have expressed skepticism about Bitcoin and said that it could be used for criminal activities. On the other hand, the new head of the US Securities and Exchange Commission, Gary Gensler, is said to be more open to cryptocurrencies than his predecessor.

First down, then up?

The fact is that sharp fluctuations in the price of Bitcoin are not uncommon. Two weeks ago, the price had climbed to over $ 42,000 after breaking the $ 20,000 mark for the first time in December. Numerous analysts and crypto experts are now issuing six-digit price targets, including renowned financial institutions such as JP Morgan Chase. However, the bank emphasized that the price target was only “medium-term”. Until then, Bitcoin is likely to fluctuate violently several times. It most recently fell 80 percent in 2018 after hitting the $ 20,000 mark in late 2017. Many investors have this in mind, which is why they sometimes react violently when Bitcoin threatens to crash, which accelerates any decline – triggered by profit-taking.

Bitcoin is seen primarily as a store of value as it is capped at 21 million. Critics believe that something that fluctuates so violently cannot be a store of value. Fans counter that the cryptocurrency is still in a pricing phase. It is also still a small market in which a few big players can make a big difference.

Vienna. The regulations for aid to farmers who are indirectly affected by the ordered closings, including the catering trade, are in place. The Ministry of Agriculture is making 60 million euros available for this. The aid is not processed through the federal corona aid agency, COFAG, but rather through the ministry, which has reallocated existing funds for its new aid for rural suppliers.

Like many other suppliers, farmers also suffer indirectly from the official closings of restaurants, among other things. The aid referred to as loss compensation can be applied for by all farmers from February 15, who can provide evidence of the corresponding losses. Requirements for the support are losses between October 2020 and March 2021 compared to the same period of the previous year. The loss must amount to at least 30 percent. 70 percent of the overall loss of income is granted as a non-repayable grant – up to a maximum of 100,000 euros. As before, the application is made via Agrarmarkt Austria (AMA) for farmers' aid. There is a separate calculation model for wine growers.

“The aid should reach the farms affected as quickly, easily and directly as possible,” said Agriculture Minister Elisabeth Köstinger (ÖVP) on Friday. (APA)