Consumer sentiment on a downward trend ‹ Fruit portal

The mood of consumers in Germany deteriorated noticeably in September, showing a negative trend. This is made clear by the consumer barometer of the German Retail Association (HDE).

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As a result, consumer reluctance is increasing. Private consumption will therefore not be able to achieve significant growth in the coming months. The likelihood of a recovery this year is decreasing more and more.

In September, the HDE consumer barometer fell and consumer sentiment in Germany plummeted. This declining optimism corresponds to the decline in economic sentiment and the current economic outlook.

Consumers are more pessimistic about future economic developments and their own income. As a result, consumers are planning fewer purchases in the coming months.

The current macroeconomic environment is not conducive to private consumption, which fell by 0.2 percent in the second quarter of this year compared to the previous quarter.

In view of this development, the impression is growing that there will be no recovery this year, neither in the economy as a whole nor in private consumption. There is no growth stimulus in sight for the retail sector.

Without private consumption as a growth driver, the economic outlook is also bleak. Overall economic stagnation – if not a decline in GDP – for the year as a whole is becoming more likely.

The HDE consumer barometer, which is published on the first Monday of each month, is based on a monthly survey of 1,600 people on their propensity to buy, their propensity to save, their financial situation and other consumption-relevant factors.

The consumer barometer, which is produced by the Handelsblatt Research Institute (HRI) on behalf of the HDE, serves as an indicator for private consumption. It does not reflect current consumer behavior, but rather the expected mood over the next three months.

More information

Source: HDE

Release date: 03.09.2024