Nonperishable food, beverages, toilet paper, cleaning wipes and disinfectant: the spread of The Coronavirus in Germany is driving consumers to panic buying. Images from super markets show empty shelves. Of the trade reported an increase of demand, but no risk to the food supply of the population.

", would be. The greatest danger is panic"

The Economist Marcel Fratzscher sees in such "herd behavior" is a risk - similar to the recently on the stock markets that erupted in panic"Something like that, there are also companies and consumers. This is very irrational," said the head of the Berlin-based research Institute DIW, the "Passauer Neue Presse" on Saturday".

Fratzscher warned against a "vicious spiral" in which companies and consumers on the many uncertainties of behaviour and changes in demand react. "A downward spiral is possible. The biggest danger would be panic.“

there is No reason for Hunger to Worry

The Discounter Lidl had already been recorded on Friday in some regions and branches "significantly increased sales", for example, in the case of canned goods and noodles. Also Aldi Süd had reported an increase in demand. The large discounter "Kaufland", said: "In the case of high-demand products, it can be short-term shortages."

The Greifswalder physician Nils Hübner warned purchases on Saturday in front of hamster. Him messages of Hunger are neither from China nor the North of Italy known. He did not expect that in Germany such a lack of emerging situation. In addition, a lot of food would be thrown away again.

hoarding can lead to even more hoarding

in This case, Hübner stresses the psychological component of hoarding: "When people stand in front of empty shelves, takes the purchases back to hamster. This is a self-reinforcing process.“

restrictions on the availability of goods in the trade are not to be determined from the point of view of the trade Association Germany, however, yet. The delivery structures in the trade to be efficient and well prepared, ensures the supply of the population, reiterated its spokesman Kai Falk on Saturday the German press Agency.

"We are in the position to"

As the further spread of the Virus to the consumer mood and buying behavior influenced, remain to be seen. The companies were in contact with the authorities on further developments and recommendations for the protection of customers and employees respond appropriately.

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"We are able to deliver," said the Deputy managing Director of the trade Association Berlin-Brandenburg, Günter Päts, on Saturday the German press Agency. In the supermarkets in Berlin and Brandenburg, the sales had increased in this week, however, 30 to 40 percent. Especially Soaps and disinfectants are increasingly been sold, described Päts.

"with an increased demand, we are prepared,"

In the super markets is boosting demand for durable food especially. Especially a product experienced, according to Päts, thanks to Corona a Comeback: The Bush bread. "For many years the bread was less in demand or not at all."

A spokesman for the trade Association of Bavaria, said on Saturday in Munich, suppliers have increased their stocks already. "With an increased demand, we are prepared." In the area is, as yet, no increase in hoarding out of concern about the spread of the Coronavirus, it was more. In individual cases, he could not exclude this but for.

Economist warns of "tipping into recession"

For an assessment of the overall economic consequences of the corona of crisis, it is, according to the assessment of economists, still too early. However, the spread of the Virus has "the potential to bring the world economy to a Standstill," said the Economist Timo Wollmershäuser from the Munich-based Ifo Institute news portal t-online.de.

The policy should respond thus: "The Federal government should engage businesses, because of the Coronavirus production failures. An appropriate measure would be an expansion of short-time working money.“

According to the assessment Fratzschers everything "is possible, of minimal economic impact, up to a tipping of the local economy in a recession". In view of the situation, the Federal government must act as an "anchor of stability". "More public investment would make it clear: We have to do something. Your company can rely on us. I am therefore in favour of an economic stimulus program.“

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