German retail sales fell 1.8% in 2009, final figures showed today, better than a preliminary estimate of a 2% drop given last month, the national statistics office said.
The figures suggested that consumption in Europe's biggest economy held up better than expected in the midst of its worst post-war recession, when the economy contracted by 5% overall.
Sales picked up by a provisional 0.8% during the Christmas shopping season in December compared with November, slightly below analyst forecasts for 0.9%. Analysts said that German consumers did not let the financial crisis ruin their Christmas shopping.
Rising unemployment this year is expected to curb a sustained recovery in consumption, analysts say, while tax breaks and possible salary increases could provide households with a stronger financial foundation.
Particularly cold and wintry weather last month might have caused many people to stay at home rather than head for the shops.
