Wholesaling (Germany):
Expansive order plans
ifo Institut für Wirtschaftsforschung, München, 2006
in: ifo Konjunkturperspektiven, 2006, 33, Nr. 10, 19-24
The further improvement of the business climate in wholesaling again resulted from a more positive appraisal of the current business situation and now more confidence in the business outlook. Inventories were again regarded as too high, but order plans remained expansive. Reports on price increases were again less numerous, but continuing hikes were anticipated for the coming months. In industrial B-2-B and well as in the food and beverage industry, clear price hikes are expected. Employment plans indicate an increase in staff levels. Eastern German wholesalers also reported favourable business despite some weakening over the previous month. Confidence in the business outlook declined somewhat but despite inventory pressure the firms plan to place more orders in the coming months than at the same time of the previous year. Clear price hikes are expected.