Overview
- After a weak November and a slow first December week, customer traffic accelerated sharply in the two weeks before Christmas.
- Footfall analytics from hystreet show strong city‑center visitation, with Annastraße topping 36,000 visitors on each Advent Saturday and Philippine‑Welser‑Straße averaging 57,674 versus 22,059 in November.
- Post‑Christmas shopping is continuing through the school holidays as customers redeem gift cards and cash presents, according to the Swabian trade association.
- Only a few shops used newly allowed extended Advent Saturday hours, and activity after 19:00 skewed toward the Christkindlesmarkt rather than targeted late‑night shopping.
- Store‑level results ranged from very satisfied to disappointed, and trade representatives are urging political steps next year to bolster consumer purchasing power.