Germany’s retail sector showed a strong year-end recovery, with sales rising 1.5% year-over-year in December 2025, according to data updated on 2 February 2026. This marks a notable turnaround from November 2025, when retail sales had fallen 1.6% compared to the same month a year earlier.
The December figure suggests a significant improvement in consumer activity at the close of 2025, as the indicator shifted from contraction to growth on an annual basis. Both the current and previous readings are measured year-over-year, comparing each month’s performance to the same month in the prior year, underscoring the extent of the rebound heading into the new year.
