GfK reported that consumers in Germany were in a positive mood at the end of 2017, although the propensity to buy ranking is slightly down on a monthly basis, although up on last year by 9 points to 57.1. The positive mood is being driven by positive developments in the economy (unemployment is at its lowest level since reunification – Man. Ed.). Consumers have not been made more negative by difficulties in forming a new government.
The company believes that private consumption will be up 1.5% for 2017 as a whole.
