The Handel has been in the crisis for years, but in 2024 it was actually quite okay and 2025 could it finally an upswing again give. So one could summarize the knowledge of the trade division in the Chamber of Commerce on the occasion of the publication of previously exclusive figures from the statistics Austria. In 2024 there was a slight increase in sales of 0.5 percent in 2024, 0.6 percent in vehicle trade. The sales of wholesale has dropped by 3.4 percent, which is why 2024 a total minus of 1.6 percent Look out.
Optimism there, for example because of sunken inflation
“We are still in a challenging situation, but We are optimistic“, says Rainer treflik Federal division chairman trade in the WKÖ. Many small indicators showed a positive direction, such as the back inflation. According to the Austrian Institute for Economic Research (WIFO), in 2025 slight increase in sales of 0.6 percent look out. In order to reach the long -awaited “light at the end of the tunnel”, some hurdles would still have to be mastered. Above all, massive reduction in bureaucracy is necessary.
Bigest problems with books and furniture
There were big differences between the individual industries in 2024. Preferably would have the Elektroandel, the online trade and the clothing industry Developed, says Peter Voithofer from the Institute for Austria’s economy. They have growth rates of just over 2 percent when he was sold. It was the worst of the industry Books and magazines (minus 11.5 percent), as well as the furniture trade (minus 9.5 industry).
The largest sales plus does the Food trade achieved (plus 4.3 percent). Also Drugstores Cut very well with plus 4 percent. They are also the only industry in which 2024 more people were employed than in the previous year.
Number of employees slightly decreased
In the weakening furniture trade is included Kika/Leiner The best -known bankruptcy of the year. Overall, last year 1,085 companies in bankruptcy. That means one Record value And an increase of 17.7 percent compared to 2023. In a row, the number of people employed in retail decreased by 0.8 percent to 567,835 people.
Discounts and foreign competition nibble on the profit
The increased sales in some industries are not 1: 1 to be transferred to profits, says Voithofer. In October and November 2024, the trade recorded a clear plus due to the “Black Week“(formerly” Black Friday “)) in the run -up to Christmas. Many consumers would have Strong price discounts Used to get Christmas presents. For dealers, such actions reduce the Profit margin clearly. In December, the sales figures were no longer so tingling.
According to Treffelik, the “Flood“In the run -up to Christmas, it was not necessarily a blessing for domestic trade:” The predominant part were packages from abroad“The income from it was lacking inpatient and online trading. With Chinese online portals such as Temu and Shein, there are powerful competitors that domestic retailers are disadvantaged, says Iris Thaftauer, federal manager trade in the WKÖ.
EU is supposed to undergo rules of a practical check
“There is a distortion of the competition here. Certain regulations do not apply to non -European platforms. The control of taxes, customs, licensed charges and product safety also lacks enormously.” The next government is required to at European level for more equality of competition to use. Besides, should be many EU rules simplified and can be de -bureaucratized.
In the case of due diligence obligations, notification obligations, taxonomy regulation, supply chain law and other regulations, a practical check is required. Small and medium -sized companies (SMEs) are particularly bureaucracy overloaded. The WKÖ considers the fact that the default regulations were postponed as a lobbying success together with European partner organizations.
New business models as a recipe for success
It is positive that in the previous year 9,388 companies founded have been. The trade division is the second most successful in the Chamber of Commerce, after trade and craft. Treffelik emphasizes the importance of adapting business models and New income options to create. “Many companies arise in the crisis where they go in the future. A ‘continue as before’ this dynamic does not work out. The change is part of the trade.”