COVID-19 ad ban in Germany led to 6% reduction in grocery sales

In spring 2021, during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, one of Germany's 16 federal states instituted an ad ban, forcing retailers to stop all print advertising in that state for three weeks. The state did so under the assumption that such a ban would limit contacts during the pandemic. However, banning print advertising is also being discussed as a way to conserve natural resources, including the paper and water required to produce printed advertising materials, and a way to help reduce carbon emissions.