DIY sales in Germany down significantly

Retail sales of metal goods, paints, building and DIY supplies, i.e. DIY sales in Germany, fell significantly below the previous year's level in August: According to the Federal Statistical Office (Destatis), sales in August 2025 were down 4.8 per cent in real terms and 3.9 per cent in nominal terms compared with August 2024. Sales in July were also below the previous year's level (1.5 per cent in nominal terms and 0.7 per cent in real terms).

Statisticians report a slight increase for non-food retail as a whole: here, sales were up 0.2 per cent in real terms and 0.8 per cent in nominal terms compared with August 2024. For the retail sector as a whole, including food, there was a real decline of 1.1 per cent, which corresponds to nominal growth of 0.2 per cent.