Retailing (Germany):
Significant worsening of the business climate

In retailing the business climate has chilled perceptibly. The surveyed participants are more dissatisfied with their current business situation and also expect considerably weaker business in the coming six months. As a result they plan to reduce their order volume. Although the surveyed firms appraised their turnover clearly more negatively than a year ago, they still plan to introduce further price increases. In particular in food retailing, price increases on a broad front are planned. In motor vehicle retailing, the business climate deteriorated drastically. The current business situation is assessed considerably more negative and also with regard to further business development the survey participants are sceptical. They plan to place fewer orders and also intend to reduce the number of employees.