German retail sales fall more than expected in April

GERMAN retail sales fell more than expected in April, decreasing by 1.2 per cent compared with the previous month, dimming hopes that consumer spending could give a much-needed boost to Europe’s largest economy.

Analysts polled by Reuters had predicted a 0.1 per cent decrease.

Year-on-year, retails sales declined by 0.6 per cent in real terms, the federal statistics office reported on Friday (May 31).

The data, published in more detail on the office’s website, offers a mixed picture for consumption in Germany as economists hope that rising wages and an improved outlook will boost spending.

Germany’s inflation rate, harmonised to compare with other eurozone economies, has increased over the past two months after easing from the double-digits highs of late 2022, coming in at 2.8 per cent in May.

On Friday, the Ifo institute said its price expectations index had risen slightly to 16.2 points in May from 15.2 points the month before.

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However, price expectations declined by contrast in consumer-related industries.

“This means inflation is likely to fall again in the coming months. In August, it should drop below 2 per cent for the first time since March 2021,” said Timo Wollmershaeuser, head of forecasts at Ifo.

The statistics office also reported on Friday a 1.7 per cent year-on-year fall in import prices in April, largely in line with analysts’ expectations. REUTERS