January number
Retail starts with sales plus into the year
The retail trade in Germany did good business in the first month of the new year. However, the growth was less than expected.
Plus sales for retail in Germany at the beginning of the new year: In January, the proceeds of the industry will exceeded price increases (real) both the traditionally highest sales of December by 0.2 percent and the previous year (plus 2.9 percent). This emerges from preliminary calculations by the Federal Statistical Office.
However, the increase in the month was less than expected from economists. “The concerns about loss of job could burden retail sales in the current year,” analyzes Thomas Gitzel, chief economist of VP Bank. “We therefore do not expect private consumption to recover significantly in the current year.”
Association expects sales increase
The Trade Association of Germany (HDE) expects an increase in retail sales by two percent to 677 billion euros for the current year – including price increases. In January, the proceeds were nominal after figures from the Federal Statistical Office by 0.1 percent above the level of December and 3.8 percent above the level of January 2024.
Federal Statistical Office: retail 01/2025 Federal Statistical Office for wholesale and retail HDE for sales development in retail
dpa
Source: Stern
