Retailing (east):
Business situation remains unsatisfactory

In east Germany there was no change in the unsatisfactory business situation although in contrast to the west retailers recorded sales increases. With regard to business expectations, pessimism was expressed but not to the same extent as in October. In west and east Germany, inventory pressure increased noticeably so that enterprises see no need to abandon their restrictive order policies. According to the survey results, price increases are only likely in east Germany in the coming months.