German trade group fears 'massive disruption' in supply chain over Omicron

Germany's BGA trade association warned on Wednesday of massive supply chain disruptions due to the rapid spread of the highly infectious Omicron variant of the coronarvirus, but said a long-term collapse of the supply chains was unlikely.

German industry has been hit by supply shortages of microchips and other components, while rising coronavirus cases are clouding the outlook for retailers at the start of 2022. "There is no risk of collapse, but of a massive disruption of the supply chain - at least temporarily," BGA President Dirk Jandura was quoted by Funke newspaper group as saying.

Although many wholesalers around the world