Ifo Investment Survey of Retailing and Car Dealing: Only Large Companies Plan to Boost Investments

Willingness to invest has faded slightly both in retailing and in car dealing compared to last year, according to the results of Ifo’s Investment Survey of Retailing. On balance, companies plan to reduce their expenditure on equipment and buildings in 2013. High-turnover companies are now the only survey participants with expansive investment plans. In addition, survey participants were also asked about the forecast development of their turnover, as well as their staffing levels this year. In view of the current business situation at this level of trade, which is no longer assessed as favourably as previously, companies tend to be sceptical about turnover expectations. Moreover, they are increasingly orienting their personnel plans towards a reduction in their staff base. In view of the poor demand situation, car dealers have been clearly dissatisfied with their business situation for the last year and reckon with falling turnover in 2013 as a result. They intend to reduce their staff numbers.