German retail sales rose less than expected in May

According to provisional results of the Federal Statistical Office (Destatis), the real (price-adjusted) turnover of all retail enterprises in Germany was 4.2% higher and the nominal (not price-adjusted) turnover was 4.5% higher, on a calendar and seasonally adjusted basis, in May 2021 than in April 2021. This development is probably due to the declining coronavirus incidence in all of Germany and, consequently, the easing of restrictions provided for by the federal emergency brake. Economists had expected a 0.3% increase in the real (price-adjusted) turnover. 

Compared to the pre - crisis month of February 2020, sales in May 2021 were 3.9% higher in real terms on a calendar and seasonally adjusted basis. Compared to the same month of the previous year, May 2020, retail sales fell by 2.4% in real terms and by 0.6% in nominal terms in May 2021. However, with 23 sales days, May 2021 had one less sales day than May 2020.

In May 2021, the retail trade in food, beverages and tobacco rose by 3.4% in real terms, adjusted for calendar and seasonal effects, compared with April 2021. Sales in supermarkets and hypermarkets were 2.6% higher than in the previous month. Specialist retail trade in food products (e.g. fruit and vegetables, meat, baked goods or beverages) recorded an increase of 5.0% in the corresponding comparison.

There were significant increases in the retail trade with non-food products. Real sales in May 2021 were 6.7% higher on a calendar and seasonally adjusted basis than in the previous month. The retail trade in textiles, clothing, shoes and leather goods, which was particularly affected by the business closures caused by the Federal Emergency Brake, recorded an increase in sales of 72.1% compared with April 2021, while the retail trade in goods of various types (for example, department stores and department stores) recorded an increase of 15.3 %. Similarly, sales in the trade in furnishings, household appliances and building supplies were 9.6% higher.