In a departure from the traditional short hiatus observed between Christmas and New Year, numerous bakeries in Belgium are now embracing extended vacations of two to three weeks. Some bakers are opting for extended holiday breaks as they face personal challenges, staffing shortages, and changing industry dynamics.
Surprisingly, this trend unfolds during what should be their most bustling and financially rewarding period of the year. With some bakeries displaying notices explaining closures until the second and even third week of January, questions have been raised about why some bakers are forced to remain closed for longer.
In an interview with Gazet van Antwerpen, Bart Ceulemans of Bakkers Vlaanderen noted that "last year, one in four bakeries closed during the holidays, and we estimate this figure is on the rise. The trend suggests a departure from the typical closure period of December 24 to January 1, with many establishments opting to shut down as early as December 20 and reopening only on January 8."
Sophie Soenen of Brood en Banket Rigole in Pottelberg told Gazet van Antwerpen that family time was a primary reason behind extended closures, emphasising the desire to be with loved ones for longer during the festive season. Additionally, staff shortages present a significant hurdle. "We're already short of people during the year," she told the newspaper. "We would absolutely not be able to cope with the busy end-of-year period with our limited team. We just can't find anyone."
Demographic differences
Another contributing factor, according to the bakers' federation, is the age of bakery owners. The average baker in Flanders is over 50, and after years of experiencing busy holiday seasons, many are now prioritising quality time over the frenetic end-of-year rush. Other younger bakers have responded to demand with innovative solutions, providing pop up bakeries around the region to ensure customers can still get their baked goods throughout the festive period.
The mass closure of bakeries during the festive season raises concerns about whether this trend opens the door even wider for supermarkets, which have been steadily gaining market share from local bakeries in recent years. Ceulemans, however, believes most customers understand the difficult trade-off faced by bakers during this time. "Closing during the end-of-year period is a very difficult decision, but loyal customers understand that," he told the newspaper, emphasising the unique challenges the industry grapples with during the holiday season.
