Turnover in German retail trade sale down by 0.8 % in April

German retail trade sales figures were down by 0.8% in April 2008 as compared to April last year. In nominal terms turnover was down by 0.9 %. However, these smaller sales volumes might partly be due to the fact that in April 2009 there were two working days less than in April last year. In comparison with March 2009 turnover increased by 0.9% (in nominal terms) and 0.5% in real terms after adjustments for season and calendar.

Retail trade sale of foodstuffs, beverages and tobacco goods generated 0.3% and 0.5% (in real terms) more turnover in April this year than in the respective month last year. In the specialised retail trade in foodstuffs turnover was, however, down by 1.8% and 3.1% respectively.

As far as retail trade in non-foodstuffs is concerned, the respective changes in April this year were -1.3 % and -1.5 %. Only sales figures for textiles, garments, shoe ware and leather ware increased by 7.6 % and 6.0 % respectively.

In the period from January to April 2009 turnover generated in German retail trade was down by 2.4% in both nominal and real terms as compared to the respective period in 2008.

The above figures are for the time being provisional ones provided by the Federal Statistical Office on the basis of data made available by seven German Federal states. GERMAN

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