German retail sales unexpectedly fell 1.7% in real terms in April, preliminary Federal Statistics Office data shows today. On the year, sales were down 1%.
April had three shopping days more than the same month a year earlier, the Office said as Easter fell in March this year.
In nominal terms, sales were down 1.3% compared with March and up 1.5% on the year, the figures showed. The data exclude sales of vehicles and turnover at gas stations and are based on data from seven German states accounting for roughly 76% of total sales volume.
The Bundesbank is due to publish sales data including vehicles and gas stations later today.
A survey of German retail purchasing managers by NTC research pointed to strong rebound in sales this month.
However, a forward-looking gauge of consumer sentiment in Germany by market research group GfK suggested the mood among households will deteriorate in June.
