Retail sales in Germany record decline in the first half of 2023
In the first half of 2023, the German retail sector recorded a real decline in sales of 4.5% compared to the previous year, mainly due to higher prices. Internet and mail-order retailers and DIY stores also recorded declines, while sales of textiles and clothing increased.
Wiesbaden - According to preliminary results from the Federal Statistical Office (Destatis), retail companies in Germany recorded a real (price-adjusted) decline in sales of 4.5% in the first half of 2023 compared to the same period of the previous year. At the same time, nominal (non-price-adjusted) sales rose by 3.6 %. The difference between the nominal and real results indicates the increased price level in the retail sector.
Food retail particularly affected
The food retail sector was particularly affected, with sales falling by 5.8% in real terms in the first half of 2023 compared to the same period of the previous year, while rising by 7.6% in nominal terms. The reason for the real decline in sales is the significant rise in food prices, which were the strongest price driver in the first half of 2023. As a result, sales in the food retail sector have fallen continuously in the last two years compared to the same month of the previous year.
Sales trends in other sectors
Non-food retail also recorded a decline in sales in the first half of 2023, with sales falling by 3.6% in real terms and rising by 1.1% in nominal terms. Internet and mail order retailers were particularly hard hit, recording a real decline in sales of 7.3% and a nominal decline of 2.6% compared to the same period last year. DIY stores also recorded a decline in sales of 6.9% (real) and 0.8% (nominal). By contrast, retailers of textiles, clothing, shoes and leather goods recorded sales growth of 7.3% (real) and 9.3% (nominal). Some of these results are due to base effects from the special developments in the same period of the previous year caused by the coronavirus, particularly in online and DIY retail, which recorded high sales growth at times during the pandemic.
Further information can be found on the website of the Federal Statistical Office Destatis.
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