Tag #Datev Mittelstandsindex

What is the extent of the sales decline in German retail SMEs, and what are the immediate consequences for the sector?

German small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the retail sector experienced a 1.1% sales decrease in November and a 0.9% drop in December compared to the previous months. Unlike the overall retail sector, which saw a 5% nominal sales increase in November, these SMEs missed the usual Christmas sales boost. This decline is further highlighted by a 4.4% year-on-year sales decrease in December 2022, followed by another 2.2% drop in December 2023.