German retail sales down 1.6 percent on year in June, 2.1 percent in 1st half

September 4th, 2009 German services sector sales fall 11 pct in Q2FRANKFURT — The German services sector saw second quarter sales fall 11 percent compared with a year earlier as the economic downturn continued to hurt demand. The Wiesbaden-based Federal Statistical Office said Friday that strong declines were seen in the business services sector, which saw sales fall 13 percent, while the transport and warehousing sector saw a 12 percent drop compared to the April-June period of 2008.

August 6th, 2009 German industrial orders rise againBERLIN — German industrial orders saw their second consecutive strong month-on-month rise in June, a 4.5 percent climb that was led by demand from other European countries, official figures showed Thursday. The increase followed rises of 4.4 percent in May and 0.1 percent in April.

August 5th, 2009 Euro retail sales fall 0.2 pct in JuneBRUSSELS — The European Union says retail sales in the 16 nations that use the euro fell 0.2 percent in June from a month earlier, showing that consumers are wary of spending as unemployment hits a 10-year high. Shoppers cut back spending both on daily essentials such as food, drink and tobacco and on non-food items such as clothing, electronics and medicines.

August 3rd, 2009 Linde 1H net profit down 34 percentFRANKFURT — German industrial gas company Linde AG said Monday that its net profit for the first six months of the year fell 34 percent, citing a difficult market environment and falling business volumes in the recession. The Munich-based company earned euro248 million ($354 million) in the January-June period, compared with euro375 million in the first half of 2008.

August 3rd, 2009 German retail sales down 1.8 pct in JuneBERLIN — German retail sales saw an unexpected month-on-month fall in June as the global crisis maintained its grip on Europe's biggest economy, an official estimate showed Monday. The 1.8 percent drop compared with May followed a 1.3 percent decline the previous month.

July 31st, 2009 Puma's H1 operating income falls 6 pct, PPR saysFRANKFURT — German sportswear company Puma AG's operating profit for the first six months fell about 6 percent, according to the company's parent, Paris-based retail and luxury group PPR SA. PPR, which holds about 64 percent of Puma's shares, said in its first half earnings report that Puma's operating profit in the January-June period fell to euro177 million ($248.74 million) from euro189 million in the first six months of 2008.

July 31st, 2009 Luxury group PPR H1 net income down 76 percentPARIS — Retail and luxury group PPR SA on Friday reported a 76 percent drop in earnings for the first half after sales fell at its Conforama furniture stores, FNAC books-to-electronics chain and its Redcats catalog unit. PPR, owner of the Yves Saint Laurent and Gucci brands, said net profit in the six months through June dropped to euro189 million ($265.6 million) from euro777 million a year earlier, when it made a capital gain on the sale of YSL Beaute cosmetics unit.

July 28th, 2009 UK retailers say sales dropping in JulyLONDON — Most U.K. retailers say that sales are declining in July, though grocery and shoe stores are bucking the trend with rising volumes, the Confederation of British Industry said Tuesday.

July 24th, 2009 Volkswagen increases market share in first halfFRANKFURT — German carmaker Volkswagen AG said Friday it was able to increase its global car market share during the first six months of the year despite difficult operating conditions. The Wolfsburg-based company said its market share for the January-June period increased to 12 percent from 9.9 percent in the first six months of 2008, despite selling less cars because of the recession.

July 14th, 2009 June retail sales rise more-than-expected 0.6 pctWASHINGTON — Retail sales advanced in June by the largest amount in five months, led by a surge in gasoline prices and a slight rebound in the battered auto sector. The Commerce Department said Tuesday that retail sales rose 0.6 percent last month, better than the 0.4 percent gain that economists had expected.

July 7th, 2009 German luxury car makers see sales dips narrowFRANKFURT — German luxury carmakers BMW and Daimler said their June sales slipped lower from a year ago, but the overall decline slowed. Both companies said they were cautiously optimistic that market may start to improve sooner than later.

July 3rd, 2009 Euro zone retail sales down 0.4 percent in MayLONDON — Retail sales fell in May in the 16 countries that use the euro, in a further sign that consumers aren't optimistic about their future in the midst of a deep and widespread recession. Eurostat, the EU's statistics office, says retail sales in the euro zone fell by 0.4 percent from the previous month.

July 1st, 2009 Daimler US sales decline 26.5 percent in JuneNEW YORK — Daimler AG said Wednesday that combined U.S. sales for its Mercedes-Benz and smart micro-cars fell nearly 26.5 percent in June compared with the same month a year earlier.

July 1st, 2009 BMW Group says June US sales slip 20.3 percentWOODCLIFF LAKE, N.J. — German automaker BMW Group said Tuesday that June U.S.

June 29th, 2009 Ford analyst says June best month for sales in '09DEARBORN, Mich. — Ford Motor Co.'s top sales analyst says June was the industry's best month of the year, with sales falling less than 30 percent.