German retail sales growth slowed in February 2026, with the year-over-year rate easing to 0.7%, down from 1.2% in January. The latest data, updated on 31 March 2026, point to a moderation in consumer spending momentum at the start of the year.
Both figures are measured on a year-over-year basis, comparing each month with the same period a year earlier. While January’s 1.2% gain signaled relatively stronger annual growth, February’s 0.7% reading suggests a softer pace of expansion in Germany’s retail sector.
The cooling in retail activity may indicate that households are becoming more cautious in their spending, a trend investors and policymakers will be watching closely as they assess the resilience of domestic demand in Europe’s largest economy.
