German retailers are facing worsening business conditions as rising energy, labour, and purchasing costs squeeze profits while sales remain weak, according to the German Retail Association (HDE).
A survey of 600 retail companies found that 42% rated their current business situation as poor, while nearly two-thirds said conditions had deteriorated in the first half of the year compared with the same period in 2025.
The HDE maintained its 2026 forecast for nominal retail sales growth of 2%, putting total turnover at €697.4 billion euros ($813 billion).
Original reporting: Appleton, WI News Feed (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
