FX.co ★ German Retail Sales Slump Deepens in March, Signalling Consumer Strain

Germany’s retail sector weakened further in March 2026, with sales falling sharply on a month-over-month basis, according to data updated on 30 April 2026. Retail sales declined by **2.0%** compared with February, marking a steeper contraction than the **0.6%** drop recorded in February 2026 versus January.

The figures, measured on a month-over-month comparison, indicate that the downturn in consumer spending is not only continuing but accelerating. February’s reading showed a modest decline, but March’s deeper fall suggests growing pressure on German consumers and retailers alike as demand softens across the sector.

The back-to-back monthly declines add to concerns over the resilience of domestic consumption, a key pillar of Europe’s largest economy. With March’s data underscoring a clear deterioration from the previous month, analysts and policymakers will be closely watching upcoming figures for signs of whether this weakness persists into the second quarter.