Retail Business Cycle Report

Once a quarter, the Retail Business Cycle Report compiles key economic information for the retail trade and trade as a whole. Ongoing economic monitoring and reporting is highly relevant to provide retailers and the interested public with up-to-date data and analyses. The current report shows that the economic weakness in the retail sector is continuing. Business was again subdued in July and August. Sales were recently particularly weak in the non-food sector. Sentiment indicators for retailers have also deteriorated further in recent months. However, an advance assessment for October indicates stabilisation at a low level. The pessimistic expectations of consumers with regard to the general economic situation are weighing on consumer confidence and subsequently on private consumer demand, which is not expected to rise more strongly again in 2024, supported by rising real incomes.