MediaMarkt and Saturn stores open again
After the closings across Europe due to measures to limit the spread of the Corona virus, 92 percent of Media Markt Saturn locations aremopen again. This included almost all stores in Germany, the parent company Ceconomy AG said in a press release. Only in Turkey, the markets remain closed for the time being. The group aimed to bringing its stationary retail back to full capacity as quickly as possible, the company added. Strict hygiene and safety measures are in place to ensure that customers and employees can shop and work in a safe environment.
Since May 13, all stores in Germany can use their entire sales area again. The stores in Austria, Switzerland, Poland, Italy, Spain, Belgium and Luxembourg are again open to customers as well. Stores have been equipped with spit guards and customers are asked to pay contactless whenever possible. Staff also wear mouth and face protection.
“The gradual reopening of our stores is an important step towards normality in our business,” said Ceconomy CEO Bernhard Düttmann. “We have adapted quickly and efficiently to the new circumstances without losing sight of the safety of our customers and employees. Since the beginning of the COVID-19 crisis we have proven our strength as an omni-channel player by focusing our sales activities and resources on the online business. However, stationary retail is and will remain the main sales channel for us to serve our customers.”
“Next to recuperating store sales, which are partly driven by pent-up demand, we see continued sales momentum in the online channel“, added Ferran Reverter, CEO of MediaMarktSaturn Retail Group. “After a doubling of pure online sales in March, pure online sales even quadrupled in April. As a result of the COVID-19 crisis, the sustainable transformation of our business model is being accelerated.”