Retailers hopes disappointed - cautious investment activity

Contrary to original expectations, retailers profited little from rising disposable incomes this year so that only a nominal 1.5% increase in turnover is expected for 2001. According to the plans of the firms that participated in this year's Ifo Investment Survey, investment in retailing this year will be ca. 2% less than in 2000. This rate is clearly below the average for the service sector as a whole.