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Strategies in Times of Pandemic Crisis—Retailers and Regional Resilience in Würzburg, Germany

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  • Alexandra Appel

    (Institute of Geography and Geology, Department of Economic Geography, Julius Maximilian University of Würzburg, 97070 Würzburg, Germany)

  • Sina Hardaker

    (Institute of Geography and Geology, Department of Economic Geography, Julius Maximilian University of Würzburg, 97070 Würzburg, Germany)

Abstract

Research on the COVID-19 crisis and its implications on regional resilience is still in its infancy. To understand resilience on its aggregate level it is important to identify (non)resilient actions of individual actors who comprise regions. As the retail sector among others represents an important factor in an urban regions recovery, we focus on the resilience of (textile) retailers within the city of Würzburg in Germany to the COVID-19 pandemic. To address the identified research gap, this paper applies the concept of resilience. Firstly, conducting expert interviews, the individual (textile) retailers’ level and their strategies in coping with the crisis is considered. Secondly, conducting a contextual analysis of the German city of Würzburg, we wish to contribute to the discussion of how the resilience of a region is influenced inter alia by actors. Our study finds three main strategies on the individual level, with retailers: (1) intending to “bounce back” to a pre-crisis state, (2) reorganising existing practices, as well as (3) closing stores and winding up business. As at the time of research, no conclusions regarding long-term impacts and resilience are possible, the results are limited. Nevertheless, detailed analysis of retailers’ strategies contributes to a better understanding of regional resilience.

Suggested Citation

  • Alexandra Appel & Sina Hardaker, 2021. "Strategies in Times of Pandemic Crisis—Retailers and Regional Resilience in Würzburg, Germany," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(5), pages 1-19, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:13:y:2021:i:5:p:2643-:d:508659
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    1. Katrin Schade & Marcus Hübscher & Felix zur Lage & Juana Schulze & Johannes Ringel, 2022. "Integrating Retail into an Urban Data Platform from a Stakeholder Perspective: Network Approaches in Leipzig (Germany)," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(10), pages 1-18, May.
    2. Monica Bruzzone & Renata Paola Dameri & Paola Demartini, 2021. "Resilience Reporting for Sustainable Development in Cities," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(14), pages 1-24, July.
    3. Joanna Zuzanna Popławska, 2021. "The Resilience of Urban Retail System in the Face of the COVID-19 Pandemic. The Case Study of Poland," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(24), pages 1-22, December.
    4. Schade Katrin & Müller Andre & Holdack Eric & Hübscher Marcus & Lurie Katja & Schulze Juana, 2021. "Digitalization and City Center Resilience. Exploring Visitors’ Perceptions in Leipzig, Germany," ZFW – Advances in Economic Geography, De Gruyter, vol. 65(3-4), pages 132-146, December.
    5. Leigh Sparks, 2021. "Towns, High Streets and Resilience in Scotland: A Question for Policy?," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(10), pages 1-14, May.

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