German retail sales index, nominal, adjusted
German retail sales index, nominal, adjusted stood at 121.9 in Aug 2026, according to Deutsche Bundesbank. It is one of the indicators in the Retail sales table (Value · Monthly), with a complete series running from Jan 1994 to Aug 2026. The complete series with an interactive chart, free to download.
This indicator in the Retail sales table
| Indicator | 08-2026 | 07-2026 | 06-2026 | 05-2026 | 04-2026 | 03-2026 | 02-2026 | 01-2026 | 12-2025 | 11-2025 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Current prices, 47 Retail trade, except of motor vehicles and motorcycles10 | 121.9 | 119.9 | 121.6 | 121.9 | 120.8 | 120.9 | 120.2 | 120.5 | 119.8 | 119.4 | |
| Current prices, 47.1 Retail sale in non-specialised stores | 122.6 | 121.3 | 122.1 | 123.8 | 122.5 | 121 | 122.6 | 124.3 | 122.9 | 121.6 | |
| Current prices, 47.2 Retail sale of food, beverages and tobacco in specialised stores | 117.7 | 117.5 | 117.7 | 119.3 | 119 | 117.5 | 117.3 | 118.4 | 116.4 | 116.5 |
Understanding german retail sales index, nominal, adjusted
Standard consumer spending across the German retail sector is aggregated in this nominal index, excluding the trade and repair of motor vehicles. By tracking current prices, the series captures the exact transactional value recorded by retailers, from large national chains to localized storefronts. It encompasses the entirety of division 47, acting as the headline monetary measure for non-automotive consumer goods. Because it does not adjust for inflation, the index reflects the reality of the cash entering the retail sector, capturing both shifting consumer appetite and the changing cost of consumer goods simultaneously.
The index utilizes an Index 2021=100 base and undergoes thorough adjustment for calendar and seasonal anomalies. This statistical smoothing removes the impact of varying weekend counts and predictable seasonal peaks, making sequential period-on-period analysis the preferred approach for market watchers. Relying on year-on-year comparisons for this specific adjusted series reintroduces unnecessary base-effect complications. Preliminary releases are frequently updated as delayed survey responses from the retail sector are integrated into the final calculation. Analysts must be careful to avoid assuming that shifts in this index equate to changes in living standards, given its sensitivity to retail price volatility.
Frequently asked questions
- Are online retail sales part of this aggregate measure?
- Yes, the division 47 classification encompasses both traditional brick-and-mortar stores and remote retail operations.
- Why are month-to-month observations recommended over annual ones?
- The built-in seasonal and calendar adjustments already neutralize cyclical distortions, allowing clear sequential evaluation.
- Does this series adjust for inflation in the retail sector?
- No, it is calculated at current prices and will move in tandem with shifting consumer prices.