German Retail Sales Fall More than Expected

Germany’s retail sales declined 1.1% month-on-month in June 2026, swinging from a marginally revised 1.2% increase in the previous month and missing market estimates for a 0.5% drop. It marked the sharpest monthly contraction since May 2025, pointing to weaker consumer spending amid persistent economic uncertainty. Food sales fell 1.4%, while non-food sales dropped 1.0%. In contrast, online and mail-order sales rose 0.4%, highlighting continued resilience in e-commerce demand. On an annual basis, retail sales slipped 0.2%, shifting from an upwardly revised 2.1% increase in May and signaling the second time of yearly decline this year.

Germany’s retail sales rose 1.1% month-on-month in May 2026, rebounding from a revised 0.4% decline in the previous month and defying market expectations for a 0.1% fall. It marked the biggest growth since June last year, suggesting that consumer spending regained some momentum despite ongoing economic uncertainty. The upturn was supported by broad-based gains across major categories, with food sales rising 1.1% and non-food sales increasing 1.0%. Meanwhile, online and mail-order retailing jumped 3.4%, indicating resilient demand through e-commerce. On an annual basis, retail sales advanced 1.8%, swinging from a revised 0.6% decline in April and marking the strongest annual growth in five months.

Germany’s retail sales dropped 0.3% month-on-month in April 2026, matching the pace of a downwardly revised decline in the previous month and outperforming market expectations for a 0.4% fall. The latest reading marked the fourth straight monthly contraction, as heightened uncertainty stemming from the Middle East conflict continued to weigh on consumer sentiment and spending. By category, non-food sales declined 2.2%, while online and mail-order trade shrank 4.7%. In contrast, food sales rose 3.2%, partially offsetting broader weakness. On an annual basis, retail sales slipped 0.3%, following a downwardly revised 0.2% decline in March, indicating that consumer demand remained subdued despite easing inflationary pressures.