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German retail sales fall unexpectedly in November

Published by Global Banking & Finance Review

Posted on January 24, 2025

1 min read

· Last updated: January 27, 2026

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Graph showing the unexpected decline in German retail sales for November 2023 - Global Banking & Finance Review
This image illustrates the unexpected decline in German retail sales by 0.6% in November 2023. It reflects the economic challenges facing Germany's retail sector despite pre-Christmas shopping promotions.
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Unexpected Decline in German Retail Sales for November

(Reuters) - German retail sales fell unexpectedly in November, data showed on Wednesday, despite hopes for a boost from pre-Christmas promotions like Black Friday and Cyber Monday.

Retail sales declined by 0.6% in real terms compared with the previous month, the federal statistics office reported.

Analysts polled by Reuters had predicted a 0.5% increase.

According to an annual estimate given by the statistics office, the retail sector in Germany generated 1.3 % more sales in real terms in 2024 than in 2023.

Real sales in 2024 are expected to be 2.6% above the pre-pandemic level of 2019, the office said.

(Reporting by Isabel Demetz in Gdansk and Maria Martinez in Berlin, editing by Thomas Seythal)

Key Takeaways

  • German retail sales fell by 0.6% in November.
  • Analysts expected a 0.5% increase in sales.
  • Pre-Christmas promotions failed to boost sales.
  • 2024 sales are projected to exceed pre-pandemic levels.
  • Retail sector saw a 1.3% increase in 2024 over 2023.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the main topic?
The article discusses the unexpected decline in German retail sales in November despite pre-Christmas promotions.
What was the expected sales change?
Analysts had predicted a 0.5% increase in retail sales for November.
How did 2024 sales compare to previous years?
Sales in 2024 are expected to be 2.6% above the pre-pandemic level of 2019.

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