Retailing: More favourable business situation

The business climate in retailing worsened slightly in July. This is because the firms have assessed their six-month business outlook more unfavourably than in June. Their current business situation, however, is regarded as almost satisfactory and thus clearly more positive than in June. Although the retailers more frequently assessed their inventories as too large, they do not intend to be as restrictive in their order plans as before. Once more, fewer firms reported having to make price concessions. For the coming months the survey results indicate that prices will remain stable. The number of employees in retailing is also expected to undergo little change.