Retailing (east):
Sceptical expectations

Also in eastern Germany retailing the unfavourable assessments of business conditions increased, and the expectations were marked by more scepticism. Here, however, the large inventories of goods were reduced as turnover expanded once again. The order plans were corresponding less restrictive than in the west. In individual cases higher sales prices were achieved in eastern Germany while in western Germany the pressure on prices has continued. For the coming months, however, price increases in both survey areas are expected. An end of staff reductions does not seem to be in sight, with still more firms in the west expecting decreases (on balance 22%) than in the east (12%).