Retailing (west):
Improvement in business situation and expectations

Despite weak demand and only slightly reduced inventory pressure, retailers in west Germany are not quite as discontent with their business situation in comparison to the two preceding months. Pessimism with regard to future developments has nearly vanished. In contrast, east German retailers again returned more negative assessments of the business situation, and no upturn is in sight. In both east and west, the order plans are increasingly pointed downward. Based on the survey responses, retail prices could increase in the coming months.