Wholesaling (Germany):
More favourable outlook

The current business situation in wholesaling was considered a bit more favourable than in the preceding two months. Here the tendency to improve in the industrial B2B sector and in the consumer goods sector contrasted with a declining trend in durable consumer goods as well as food and beverages. Business expectations were characterised by generally increased confidence, but since product inventories were increasingly assessed as too high, order plans were revised downward. Wholesalers expected price increases in coming months as frequently as in August, primarily those of food and beverages. Despite higher inventories, east German wholesalers also rated their current business situation more favourable again, primarily in regards durable consumer goods. Greater scepticism was discernable, however, with respect to their future business outlook, scepticism that has affected their order plans. Price increases were expected less frequently again than in the past.