Germany retail sales rose sharply in February

According to provisional data from Destatis, turnover in retail trade in February 2019 was in real terms 4.7% and in nominal terms 5.5% larger than in February 2018. The number of days open for sale was 24 in February 2019 and in February 2018.

Compared with the previous year, turnover in retail trade was in the first two months of 2019 in real terms 3.9% and in nominal terms 4.6% higher than in the corresponding period of the previous year.

When adjusted for calendar and seasonal variations, the February turnover was in real 0.9% and in nominal terms 1.1% higher than in January 2019.

Separate data from Destatis showed, the index of import prices increased by 1.6% in February 2019 compared with the corresponding month of the preceding year. In January 2019 and in December 2018 the annual rates of change were +0.8% and +1.6%, respectively. From January 2019 to February 2019 the index rose by 0.3%. The index of import prices, excluding crude oil and mineral oil products, increased in February 2019 by 1.2% compared to February 2018 and in comparison with January 2019 it fell by 0.2%. The index of export prices increased by 1.3% in February 2019 compared with the corresponding month of the preceding year. In January 2019 and in December 2018 the annual rates of change were +1.1% and +1.3%, respectively. From January 2019 to February 2019 the index slightly rose by 0.1%.