Christmas sales in Germany have been sluggish, with retailers expressing dissatisfaction. In terms of volume, sales are down on the previous year.
Footfall has dropped off, as well as the volume in sales for many retailersImage: Ying Tang/NurPhoto/picture alliance
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German retailers on Sunday said sales ahead of Christmas had been disappointing, with a "noticeable" lack of momentum in the first weeks of Advent.
Although sales figures are up on the previous year, the volume of sales showed a marked dip in real terms because of rising inflation.
What did retailers say?
From more than 350 retail companies that were surveyed, some 60% expressed dissatisfaction with the latest trend in sales, the German Retail Association (HDE) said.
"The second week of Advent was noticeably weaker in the retail sector than the first week of Advent. Many retailers are now pinning their hopes on the final spurt before the festive season," HDE managing director Stefan Genth said.
Footfall in city centers is also down, with two-thirds of city retailers reporting fewer customers than the previous year.
The HDE forecast total sales of just over €120 billion ($129 billion) for this year's Christmas business in November and December.
This corresponds to an increase in sales of 1.5% — effectively down on the previous year in terms of sales volume.
Europe's festive cities shine bright this Christmas season
It isn't long until Christmas Eve. All over Europe, festive lights are illuminating the streets. Take a look at 10 particularly beautifully decorated cities — and we'll even sneak a peek at Santa's headquarters!
Image: Tomas Tkacik/Sopa/Zuma/picture alliance
Vienna, Austria
The streets and squares of Vienna have been lit up with sparkling lights, making the Austrian capital particularly festive around the holidays. Here, you can see the Christmas lights along the Vienna Graben, a lively shopping street.
Image: EVA MANHART/APA/picture alliance
Prague, Czech Republic
A large, festively decorated fir tree adorns downtown Prague — even though traditionally, trees are not decorated until the morning of Christmas Eve. Various Christmas markets dot the city, inviting patrons, for example, to sample trdelník, a pastry covered in powdered sugar.
Image: Hurin Martin/dpa/CTK/picture alliance
Copenhagen, Denmark
Copenhagen's world-famous Tivoli Gardens amusement park attracts visitors from around the world at any time of the year. However, the atmosphere is extra special around Christmas, since the entire park is decorated for the holidays and strung with lights. Santa Claus and his reindeer also pay a visit to the big Christmas market.
Image: Oliver Förstner/Zoonar/picture alliance
Palma, Spain
Mallorca, the most popular Mediterranean island for German vacationers, decks itself in pre-Christmas splendor. One highlight is the 27-meter-high (88 ft.) walk-in Christmas tree in front of Palma Cathedral. Some 4,200 lighting elements and over 415 kilometers (258 miles) of fairy lights illuminate the island's capital.
Image: Isaac Buj/dpa/picture alliance
Basel, Switzerland
Every year, hundreds of stalls and countless lights make Basel one of Europe's most beautiful Christmas cities. The picturesque old town center — including the Barfüsserplatz — sparkles in festive splendor. Many Christmas market stalls entice tourists and locals alike to buy beautiful gifts.
Under the beautifully decorated Christmas tree in Katowice's market square, visitors get into the festive spirit. The chair swing ride, the Ferris wheel and the ice rink will delight young and old alike. Those who still need to buy presents are sure to find something suitable in the countless stalls selling Christmas decorations, handicrafts and culinary specialties.
Image: Beata Zawrzel/Nur Photo/picture alliance
Budapest, Hungary
The Christmas season in the Hungarian capital is a great time to visit. The city has both large and small Christmas markets, like the one in front of St. Stephen's Basilica (above) but the longest-running is that on Vörösmarty Square. It has over 100 stalls, some of which sell traditional Hungarian handicrafts.
Image: Bernadette Szabo/REUTERS
Stockholm, Sweden
The picturesque alleys of Stockholm's historic center, like this one on Osterlanggatan in Gamla Stan, are brightened by festive decorations during cold winter evenings around Christmas. At the traditional market at the Skansen open-air museum, visitors can make candles or get cozy with a cup of spiced wine punch called glögg and ginger cookies.
Image: Alexander Farnsworth/picture alliance
London, UK
Every year, a Norwegian Christmas tree gleams in Trafalgar Square in London. The fir tree is a gift from the city of Oslo in gratitude for British support during the occupation by Nazi Germany in World War II. But for most passersby, it's simply one of many beautifully decorated Christmas spots in the British capital.
Image: Krisztian Elek/SOPA Images via ZUMA Press Wire/picture alliance
Brussels, Belgium
The Belgian capital becomes a colorful winter wonderland when the Grand Place and other city squares host Christmas markets. Several hundred small wooden huts and thousands of lights generate a festive mood. And if you want to escape the hustle and bustle for a few minutes, you can ride the Ferris wheel.
Image: Dursun Aydemir/Anadolu/picture alliance
Rovaniemi, Finland
There is perhaps nowhere more Christmassy than snowy Rovaniemi in Finland, known as Santa Claus Village. Tourists can cross the Arctic Circle, which runs right through the village and is marked with these lighthouses — they are also said to help Santa find his way back home again.
Image: James Brooks/AP Photo/picture alliance
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"Overall, only 15% of the retailers surveyed are satisfied with how the Christmas business has gone so far," the HDE report said.
Some room for optimism
Retailers were said to be looking forward to the coming weeks with "muted expectations," the survey said. Just under a fifth of retailers who were surveyed expect a positive development.
However, the HDE's Genth was less pessimistic, pointing out that, in the second half of December, the ever-approaching holidays usually provide additional sales impetus.
"If the festive mood increases in the near future, it can noticeably boost Christmas business," he said.
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