Wholesale trade: End of investment reserve in large enterprises - only slight decline in investments likely in 2005

Turnover in wholesaling continues to expand. With a nominal plus of 5.8%, the increase in 2003 (+1.1%) was surpassed in 2004. In spite of this development, wholesale businesses were still dissatisfied with their business situation, according to the Ifo Business Survey, and are also sceptical regarding their business outlook. And as the results of the Ifo Investment Survey show there is no end in sight of the investment reserve in wholesaling. On balance, 10% of the enterprises plan to reduce their investment volumes in 2005 over 2004, especially in construction spending. With equipment investments there is a balance between a willingness and a reluctance to invest.