Consumption

German consumers are in the best buying mood

Bleak Outlook for the global economy, fierce market turbulence and the unresolved refugee crisis – the German consumer can be of anything the buying mood spoil.

The Barometer for the consumer climate remains in February at 9.4 points, such as the society for consumer research (GfK) on Wednesday to your current survey among 2000 consumers stated. “Thus defying the consumer spending, the recent increase in risks,” said GfK-expert Rolf Bürkl. It stabilize at an overall high level”. By Reuters surveyed Economists had a decline to 9.3 counter expected.

The purse sits with consumers more relaxed again: The willingness for more expensive purchases – such as furniture or cars – moved in. “The propensity to consume remains unbroken”, said Bürkl. For a concern, the stable conditions of employment for planning for larger expenses. The other opened real income growth and declining gasoline and fuel oil prices with additional financial leeway. Due to low interest rates, it was also unattractive to save money.

Rising employment, rising wages

Consumers look brighter on the German economy. “The very good situation of the labour market with increasing employment is a major reason for this”, stressed Bürkl. Also, the Expectations remain high: While this Teilbarometer slightly, but is still above the previous year.

Most experts believe that private consumption again this year as an economic powerhouse. The exports are suffering, on the other hand, the weakness of the large developing countries such as China, while the companies because of uncertain prospects on these important markets reluctant to invest. The Federal government expects Koalitionskreisen according to this year with a growth on the previous year’s level of 1.7 per cent.

zdh/ul (rtr, dpa)