Start to the final quarter with a decline

The German DIY sector entered the final quarter of the year with a slight decline in sales. According to the Federal Statistical Office (Destatis), retail sales of metal goods, paints, building and DIY supplies were down 0.6 per cent in nominal terms in October compared with the same month last year. In real terms, i.e. calculated at constant prices, the decline was 1.0 per cent.