Retailing (west):
Turnover losses

The business climate in west German retailing improved to some extent. The current situation was still regarded as unsatisfactory due to the sluggish trend in demand and bulging warehouses, but with regard to the business outlook in durable and non-durable consumer goods retail traders became more optimistic. The prospects for the food, beverage, and tobacco industry for the next few months were clearly more pessimistic than in November.