Higher winemaking prices, expensive electricity and hourly wages of 15 euros or more for temporary workers – many wine shop operators in North Rhine-Westphalia are under financial pressure this year. Christmas markets are open almost everywhere in the state today.
Some operators have had to raise prices – for example in Düsseldorf. On average in North Rhine-Westphalia, a cup of mulled wine costs between 4 and 4.50 euros this year, said the President of the German Showmen’s Association, Albert Ritter, who ran his stand in Essen.
Hope for second order
At his stand, the price of mulled wine is four euros – unchanged since the coronavirus pandemic. “We are not in Hamburg or Berlin, in the Ruhr area people don’t have much money in their wallets.” He’s more likely to rely on people ordering a second drink if it’s affordable. This drink is also relatively cheap in Dortmund at 3.50 euros. The last increase there was in 2023.
In Düsseldorf this year, prices will rise by 50 cents to an average of 5 euros, as the head of the Düsseldorf showmen’s association Oliver Wilmering said. “There is no other choice, also because winemakers are raising prices again.” Visitors understand this, Wilmering said. However, everything becomes more expensive. Five euros will also be paid at the Christmas market at Cologne Cathedral – unchanged from last year. If you want to taste rum, add an extra euro on the table in Cologne.
Electricity is more expensive than a fixed business
Overall, the math is very tight, Ritter said. This is not only due to the costs of private security services borne by stand operators. Showmen were upset that the stands, which were only set up during the Christmas season, paid much higher electricity prices than regular customers — up to 60 cents per kilowatt hour, Ritter said. In contrast, he paid only 27 cents for his regular business in Essen.
Wage costs for temporary workers will also be well above the current minimum wage of 12.82 euros. “On weekends, outside, in the rain and cold – you can’t get anything for less than 15 euros.” Nevertheless, Ritter started the season cheerfully: “If you’re in a bad mood, people will run away from you.” The Christmas market, he said, was “the last great bonfire of society.”
© dpa-infocom, dpa:251123-930-328301/1
