Shops get prepared for the weekend

This is an English summary. The full article is only available in German.

Shops and department stores near the border have made an estimated extra DM 50 million since the border has been opened. The estimated additional turnover until end of this year is DM 500 million.

Because many shops have almost been emptied by the onslaught of GDR tourists, many are already preparing for a similar exercise next weekend. It is expected that outlets near the border will stay open longer on next weekend, too.

In the first days of their travel freedom, GDR citizens mostly only bought items that cost less than DM 30 (USD 15). They were especially keen on fruit like bananas and pineapples, but canned fish, tights and records also went well.

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