Germany DIHK business situation, consumer goods
Germany DIHK business situation, consumer goods stood at -9 in May 2026, according to German Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DIHK). It is one of the indicators in the DIHK Business Survey table (Value · Monthly), with a complete series running from Sep 2003 to May 2026. The complete series with an interactive chart, free to download.
This indicator in the DIHK Business Survey table
| Indicator | 05-2026 | 01-2026 | 09-2025 | 05-2025 | 01-2025 | 09-2024 | 05-2024 | 01-2024 | 09-2023 | 05-2023 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| All industries | -3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 5 | 7 | 9 | 19 | |
| Manufacturing (excluding construction) | -7 | -10 | -15 | -11 | -14 | -16 | -5 | -1 | 0 | 19 | |
| Consumer and durable goods producers | -9 | -4 | -10 | -6 | -4 | -8 | -5 | -1 | -3 | 5 |
Understanding germany DIHK business situation, consumer goods
Reflects the current operational reality reported by factory managers directing the production of items destined for household buyers. The scope encompasses both short-lived everyday items and long-lasting products like home appliances and furniture. By separating this group from intermediate and capital machinery makers, the metric zeroes in on the industrial response to retail demand and household purchasing power. The index represents the spread between favorable and unfavorable situational appraisals submitted exclusively by consumer-oriented manufacturers.
Reading this consumer-facing balance requires awareness of its strong connection to household confidence and domestic inflation dynamics. Short-term sequential comparisons offer the best gauge of shifting consumer appetite, revealing how quickly factories are adjusting to retail order flows. The survey data is typically unrevised, providing an immediate, albeit subjective, read on the end-use market. A common pitfall is assuming this balance perfectly mirrors retail sales volumes; factory sentiment also incorporates profit margins, input costs, and export demand for consumer goods. Analysts should treat the indicator as a blend of domestic consumption health and global household demand rather than a strict proxy for local high-street spending.
Frequently asked questions
- Does this category include food and beverage production?
- Yes, non-durable everyday consumables like food products are captured here alongside long-lasting household goods.
- How does this balance relate to general retail sales data?
- It measures the sentiment of the manufacturers producing the goods, which is influenced by factory-gate pricing and export orders, not just domestic store sales.
- Why evaluate period-on-period changes rather than yearly shifts?
- Consumer demand reacts rapidly to immediate changes in disposable income and inflation, making short-term sequential movements the most relevant signal for turning points.