Germany's Retail Sales Experience a Significant Uplift

In a recent report released by Destatis, Germany's statistical office, it was revealed that the country's retail sector saw a real-term increase of 1.8% in December compared to the previous year. However, the month-over-month analysis showed a slight decline of 1.6% in real terms.

Nominal Terms Show Mixed Results

When looking at nominal terms, the scenario was slightly different. The calendar and seasonally adjusted retail turnover experienced a 0.9% decrease from November. Despite this, there was a 3.0% increase compared to the same month in the previous year.

Understanding the Seasonal Adjustments

"December is traditionally the month with the highest turnover in retail. To ensure accurate comparisons, adjustments are made for public holidays, weekend constellations, and typical seasonal patterns, such as the strong Christmas business," the report explained. This highlights the importance of considering these factors when analyzing retail data.