Weekly News — Retail softness, logistics capacity & what to do next

Hi partners, here are this week’s signals from Germany/Europe—rewritten into decision-friendly takeaways for retailers, brands, and procurement teams.

1) Market signals that affect your Q4/Q1 planning

Germany: Christmas sales still weak (HDE survey)

• A large majority of retailers report below-expectation sales and footfall so far.

• Categories performing comparatively better: toys, watches/jewelry, books.

• The final week before the 4th Advent is historically the peak; HDE expects that week to be the busiest and estimates around €17B retail turnover. What this means for buyers

• Demand is likely concentrated late → plan replenishment and promo “bursts” for short windows.

• Push giftable, low-friction SKUs (easy assembly, clear benefits, strong reviews) and simplify choice.

• Use “availability + delivery reliability” as your conversion lever, not only price.

DHL: new one-day record in Germany

• DHL processed 12.4 million parcels in one day, almost double the usual level—peak pressure remains high. What this means for buyers

• Expect rolling delays even when carriers “perform well.”

• If you sell bulky or weather-dependent outdoor goods, treat cut-off dates + buffer inventory as a revenue protection tool.

UK: Royal Mail grows parcels through pick-up/drop-off expansion

• Revenue up 1.5%; parcel volume up 5%.

• The network of out-of-home points is expanding rapidly, with a long-term target to make pickup “close to home.” What this means for buyers

• OOH delivery is becoming default for many shoppers → packaging robustness and return-handling efficiency matter more than ever.

Germany e-commerce: +2.9% (Oct–Nov), led by Home & Living

• Home/furniture and beauty/personal care were the strongest growth drivers;

• Independent brand sites grew faster than platforms, signalling channel diversification. What this means for buyers

• Home & Living remains resilient → strong moment to refine outdoor home assortments and “upgrade” stories (durability, design, sustainability).

• Brand sites gaining share → invest in content quality + trust signals (reviews, warranties, clear specs).

2) Hongmao Garden update — Product launch livestream next Tuesday (LinkedIn)

Next Tuesday (23.12.2025) we’ll host our annual new product livestream on LinkedIn. Our marketing team will walk through garbage bin box and raised bed new arrivals with close-up demos—appearance, functions, and packaging details. 

We’ll share the exact time and the event link in the next update. If you want an invite for your procurement team, message us.

3) Product highlights — built for real-world selling

New: Woodgrain Raised Bed (HPS-W25120H) — 120 × 30 × H80 cm

• Slim depth fits more scenarios: balconies, office terraces, community areas, cafés/hotels.

• “Wood look” + metal durability: a premium aesthetic without the maintenance pain points. Why it matters for your range

• A great “small footprint / high perceived value” item—ideal for urban Europe and curated Home & Living selections.

Ongoing bestseller direction: FlexiLink Modular Bin Box (expandable sets)

• Modular configurations help you match local bin standards and offer 1 → multi-door solutions without overstocking too many full sets. Why it matters

• Easier assortment planning, better sell-through, ad a clean upsell path for retailers.

Contact & product pack 

📩 [email protected] 

📞 WhatsApp: +86 15371868076 

🌍 www.hongmaogarden.com