German retail turnover experienced a slight dip in July 2025, according to data released Friday by the Federal Statistical Office (Destatis). Seasonally and calendar-adjusted, retail sales decreased by 1.5 percent compared to June 2025. In nominal terms, the decline was 1.0 percent.
However, when compared to July 2024, retail turnover showed positive growth, increasing by 1.9 percent in real terms and 3.1 percent nominally. Revised figures indicate a 1.0 percent real and 0.8 percent nominal increase in retail turnover from May to June 2025.
A closer look at specific sectors reveals a 1.8 percent real and 1.2 percent nominal decrease in turnover for food retailers compared to June 2025. Despite this monthly decline, food retail sales still rose by 0.1 percent in real terms and 2.8 percent nominally year-on-year.
Non-food retail experienced a similar trend, with a seasonally and calendar-adjusted turnover decrease of 0.7 percent in real terms and 0.5 percent nominally month-on-month. Year-on-year, however, non-food retail sales exhibited strong growth, increasing by 3.5 percent in real terms and 4.2 percent nominally.
The online and mail order trade sector saw a downturn in July 2025, with a real decrease of 3.8 percent and a nominal decrease of 3.1 percent. Despite the monthly decline, online and mail order sales remained significantly higher than the previous year, growing by 13.8 percent in real terms and 14.1 percent nominally compared to July 2024.
