Better advice: Reinhold Gütebier wants to increase the workforce in four show houses
The demands for an extension of the shop opening hours on weekends are getting louder in retail. Kika / Leiner boss Reinhold Gütebier gets up for a long Saturday until 8 p.m. and for five open hours on Sunday afternoons, for example until 5 p.m. “Retail must be geared towards consumer needs. Buying furniture is a family affair and the family has time on Sundays, ”argues the manager.
Target overachieved
The furniture retailer, which was taken over by René Benko from Signa Holding in mid-2018, is doing well again, as Gütebier assures. The losses from the lockdown were more than compensated for and an “excellent” second financial year after the takeover was completed at the end of September. “Despite Corona we were well above plan and when we were preparing the plan, no one thought of Corona. As of June 30th, we were able to make up for all the missing business from the closed March / April and it continued to go very well. “
Gütebier is also optimistic for the next six months. The more time people spend at home, the more likely they are to come up with ideas for furnishing and pampering, and that's what ultimately makes his industry live.
The German manager, who was brought on board by Benko in October 2018 to renovate Kika / Leiner, now wants to increase the quality of sales and advice in four show houses after tough renovation steps and even hire 200 new salespeople over the next twelve months. Gütebier: “Initially, employees were cut across the board, but you are not allowed to cut employees in the branch, otherwise you cannot make any sales. In four show houses I want to prove to the owner that this is a consultation-intensive business where I need employees. “
For comparison: Kika / Leiner currently employs around 4,200 people in 26 Kika and 16 Leiner branches. Around 800 to 900 employees are currently still on short-time work, mainly at headquarters. Branch closings are not planned.
The Kika-Leiner boss is satisfied with his customers. Gütebier: “There is enormous discipline among the customers, very different than in May when the store reopened. In addition, we observe that customers deal intensively with the subject of furnishing beforehand. Sometimes sight people are on the road, as we say, but now there are real interested parties. Therefore there are no problems with the distance rules or any queues. “
Delivery problems remain
Of course, customers have to accept waiting times for larger purchases due to the individual manufacturing processes and delivery difficulties. Anyone who orders a new kitchen for Christmas is likely to be disappointed. It comes in late January at the earliest, if not in early March.
