German retailers see promising start to Christmas sales season

Reuters

Updated 1 December 2013 at 9:50 am

People shop at a cash and carry market of Germany's biggest retailer Metro AG in the western German city of Sankt Augustin near Bonn March 18, 2013. REUTERS/Wolfgang Rattay

FRANKFURT (Reuters) - German retailers are satisfied with the start of the Christmas sales season, according to a survey conducted by their HDE industry association.

Following a tepid lead up to the biggest shopping season of the year, demand has improved and many consumers used Saturday to begin purchasing Christmas gifts.

"Sales were above their previous year's level. Customer frequency was also clearly better," HDE managing director Stefan Genth said in a statement on Sunday.

HDE is currently forecasting an increase in Christmas sales of 1.2 percent to 80.6 billion euros.

(Reporting by Christiaan Hetzner; Editing by Mark Potter)

Yahoo Lifestyle
OnlyFans stars reveal biggest mistake Aussie men make during sex
Adult content creators have agreed that Australian men have a tendency to do one thing in the bedroom that's turning women off. Read more.
HuffPost
OOF: Trump Gets 1 Basic Detail About Barron Totally Wrong
The former president botched a key fact about his youngest son.
Parade
Shania Twain Goes Pantsless for Sizzling Magazine Cover
The country-pop queen is about to kick off her new 'Come On Over' show in Las Vegas.
HuffPost
Trump Attorney Tries Slut-Shaming Stormy Daniels, Gets Zingers In Return
Daniels met the onslaught with polite and unyielding confidence.
Storyful
Passenger Bus Crashes Into Saint Petersburg River
A bus crashed off a bridge and into the Moyka River in Saint Petersburg, Russia, on Friday, May 10, with local police saying around 20 people were on board.Local media reported that at least five people died, with four “seriously injured”. These figures had not been officially confirmed.The city’s governor, Alexander Beglov, said emergency services from various departments were on the scene.Local police said the circumstances that led to the bus being driven into the river were still being determined.This security footage shows the bus driving along the side of a building, swerving to hit a car, and then crashing into the river. Credit: Russian Ministry of Internal Affairs via Storyful
PA Media: UK News
Distraught mother stormed school reception ‘after son spent night with teacher’
Rebecca Joynes, 30, denies sexual activity with two teenage boys.
NCA NewsWire
Morning walker’s grim find on Aussie beach
Someone walking along a popular beach early in the morning made the grim discovery.
HuffPost
Maggie Haberman Names Moment Donald Trump Judge ‘Finally Just Had Enough’
The New York Times journalist also highlighted a Trump team tactic that felt “like a losing prospect.”
Yahoo News Australia
The Aussie state that is the WORST at using yellow bins revealed
There was also a shock discovery about a gruesome item people wrongly put in their green bin. Find out more.
Evening Standard
Ukraine drone flies record 930 miles to hit oil site deep inside Russia, say intelligence chiefs
Kyiv says it is now producing the same number of deep strike drones as Russia
The Independent
Ex-White House ‘gatekeeper’ cries on stand as she testifies about Trump firing her
Madeleine Westerhout was questioned at hush money trial about setting up meeting with Trump and Michael Cohen
Yahoo Finance AU
Aldi shopper's $1000 shock after ditching Woolworths
Shoppers are actively comparing supermarket prices, but is the comparison fair?
HuffPost
Critics Facepalm With Both Hands At Trump's 'Ambidextrous' Talk
President Joe Biden's reelection campaign mocked his "confused" predecessor after Trump boasted about his skills.
Yahoo News Australia
Qantas investigating after passenger hits out at 'disappointing' airport lounge visit
There was "very little" edible food when one Qantas passenger visited the airline's lounge.
HuffPost
Trump Reportedly Asks Fossil Fuel CEOs For $1 Billion
In exchange, the former president vowed to undo many of President Joe Biden's green energy policies.
BuzzFeed
This 23-Year-Old Barista Went Viral After Breaking Down His Expenses In The US Vs. Australia — Here's Why He Says "We're All Being Scammed"
"I've been having such a hard time getting on my feet, and I was so confused why, but now I know: Money does not go as far in America, and we're being scammed."
Yahoo News Australia
Tesla driver's $500 'run in' with kangaroo highlights costly feature of popular EV
The driver now faces at least $500 in repair costs after the automatic feature was activated. Others say they've had a similar experience.
Cosmo
Bella Hadid's crop top, suede skirt and cowboy boots nail Westerncore
We are *so* here for Bella Hadid's cowgirl era, including her latest outfit that consists of a crop top and suede midi skirt worn with brown cowboy boots.
The Independent
Rebel Wilson shares Isla Fisher friendship revelation after Sacha Baron Cohen claims
Actor has addressed ‘timing’ of divorce announcement after her bombshell allegations
Australian Associated Press
Late twist in Pauline Hanson 'racism' lawsuit
A bitter court battle between federal senators Pauline Hanson and Mehreen Faruqi could be recalled at the 11th hour to hear fresh evidence.

Latest stories