Retail sales in Germany fell by 0.6 % in real terms and 0.7 % nominally in February 2026 compared with January, after calendar‑ and season‑adjustment. Compared with February 2025, the same sector grew 0.7 % real and 1.6 % nominal, according to provisional figures released by Statistisches Bundesamt (Destatis) on Tuesday.
In January 2026, after revising the provisional numbers, retail turnover was down 1.1 % real (the previous provisional value was -0.9 %) and 0.1 % nominal (the previous provisional value was 0.0 %) relative to December 2025.
Food retailing in February 2026 declined 1.4 % in real terms and 1.9 % nominally versus January. Year‑on‑year, however, sales rose 0.1 % real and 1.6 % nominal compared with February 2025.
Non‑food retailing increased 0.7 % in both real and nominal terms in February 2026 relative to January. Against February 2025, the sector grew 1.1 % real and 1.7 % nominal.
Online and mail‑order trade recorded a 0.6 % real rise and a 0.7 % nominal rise in February 2026 versus January. Year‑on‑year, those channels grew 2.2 % real and 2.4 % nominal.