Germany’s retail sales dropped 0.3% month-on-month in April 2026, matching the pace of a downwardly revised decline in the previous month and outperforming market expectations for a 0.4% fall. The latest reading marked the fourth straight monthly contraction, as heightened uncertainty stemming from the Middle East conflict continued to weigh on consumer sentiment and spending. By category, non-food sales declined 2.2%, while online and mail-order trade shrank 4.7%. In contrast, food sales rose 3.2%, partially offsetting broader weakness. On an annual basis, retail sales slipped 0.2%, following a downwardly revised 0.2% decline in March, indicating that consumer demand remained subdued despite easing inflationary pressures.