In our previous article, Nathalie Aach - manager of Tapis Hertz - argued that while people may still go to the city centre, they no longer shop, but instead wander about and window shop.
CSV alderman Serge Wilmes reacted to Aach's assessment by conceding that perhaps the municipal authorities should invest in additional advertising. However, Wilmes maintained that visiting the capital remains a pleasant experience with a lively business community continuing to thrive.
As Wilmes said, it is certainly sad to see longstanding department stores close up but the municipal authorities cannot take over retail roles or decide which shops should go where. The exception being state-owned premises, the alderman pointed out.
Where the municipality does hold responsibility is the surrounding framework of the city. Wilmes believes this involves insuring a safe, clean, and attractive space - and an easily accessible city centre, which is the case. The alderman cited the Hamilius car park as one example, as it only reaches 30% capacity, alongside the shuttle bus connecting the centre to the Glacis car park.
While Wilmes admitted that constructions works were indeed causing some disruption, it was difficult to gauge how severe the level was. The municipal authorities were however doing all they could to support these developments, one example being subsidies for the tram works. However, the alderman conceded that compensation was not enough and that more initiative was necessary.
It was important to come together, to get organised, and perhaps then the government would be able to grant more support, according to Wilmes. On its part, the municipality would continue to try and make the surrounding areas more aesthetically pleasing despite construction works, as well as making sure that car parks and shops were easily accessible.
The city's commercial union will soon receive a budget dedicated to a special campaign focusing on businesses in the Central station neighbourhood. Further to this, the City of Luxembourg is supporting the "Letzshop.lu" online shopping portal with a subsidy of €150,000 per year. Wilmes also confirmed that the municipality provides financial support to local initiatives such as businesses based on the same road organising an event.
The alderman explained that retail is continuously evolving, pointing out that even if shops close down, there are investments occurring elsewhere. He pointed out that Luxembourg City is no longer a fortified city, but a modern city of the twenty-first century.
The City of Luxembourg is not entirely sure how serious the retail situation is in the capital, but wants figures on consumer habits and movements in order to ascertain the situation. After all, the city's footfall hasn't dropped. Wilmes concluded that the commercial situation in the capital is no black or white matter, but instead grey.
Changing consumer habits: Consumers tend to browse shops in Luxembourg City and buy elsewhere
