German Retail Sales Unexpectedly Fall

Germany’s retail sales dropped 2.0% month-on-month in September 2026, reversing a downwardly revised 1.2% increase in the previous month and missing market expectations for a 0.4% gain. This marked the fourth monthly decline so far this year, driven by falls in both food sales (-1.3%) and non-food sales (-2.4%). Online and mail-order sales also declined 2.2%, pointing to weaker e-commerce demand. On an annual basis, retail sales contracted 2.3%, deepening from a downwardly revised 0.3% decrease in August.

Germany’s retail sales rose 1.3% month-on-month in August 2026, reversing a downwardly revised 3.2% decline in the previous month, although the increase fell short of market expectations for a 1.5% gain. It marked the fastest growth since June 2025, supported by a 0.9% rise in food sales and a 1.6% increase in non-food sales. Online and mail-order sales also climbed 3.7%, pointing to firmer e-commerce demand. On an annual basis, however, retail sales fell 0.4%, narrowing from a 2.5% decline in July but missing forecasts for a 0.1% gain.

Germany’s retail sales fell 3.4% month-on-month in July 2026, following an upwardly revised flat reading in the previous month and missing market expectations for a 0.4% increase. It marked the steepest decline since July 2021, with food sales dropping 0.8% and non-food sales falling 4.8%. Online and mail-order sales also contracted 5.6%, pointing to weaker e-commerce demand. On an annual basis, retail sales declined 2.5%, reversing an upwardly revised 0.6% increase in June and pointing to the fastest drop since September 2023.