Retail sales in Germany will be up 1.5% in the months of November and December compared with the same period of 2024, the German retail association HDE said on Wednesday.
This means retailers will generate a total of 126.2 billion euros ($147.17 billion) in the final two months of the year, HDE said in its presentation of the Christmas sales forecasts.
"Despite a difficult environment and many uncertainties, the holiday business remains stable," said HDE president Alexander von Preen. "However, many retailers view the industry's by far most important sales period with caution or pessimism."
A HDE survey of 300 retail companies showed that 80% of companies expect restrained consumers, and 83% expect customers to pay closer attention to prices in light of price developments.
($1 = 0.8575 euros)
