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STORY: "I think the business is quite good now. After these years of closing down (for the pandemic) people are ready to come out and invest in Christmas ornaments," the 83-year-old entrepreneur said during a visit this week.

"It is something which it not necessary but it is something very important. I think people need it. I need it, too. And I need my customers and they do come and help me, 54 years running."

The shop that delivers to big companies in New York, London, Paris, Rome, China and Japan had around 300 customers buy something last Saturday (December 3) alone, Wanner said.

The business that employs a dozen staff in Basel arose from an antique shop Basel's Old Town. Christmas fans find unusual designs, traditional jewellery from European glassblowers, and Swiss souvenirs.

Like most companies, Wanner had to slightly increase his prices from 3 to 5 percent, but his production is not yet impacted by the energy crisis as the production starts in January, he said.