FRANKFURT, May 31. Retail sales in Germany in April grew more slowly than expected, although faster than the previous month, when fears of an earthquake in Japan, and unrest in North Africa, significantly worsened consumer confidence. This is indicated by data released on Tuesday, the Federal Statistical Office Germany.According to the data, retail sales adjusted in real terms in April rose 0.6% after falling in March at 2.7%.
Economists surveyed by Dow Jones Newswires, expected sales growth in April to 1.7%.
Retail sales adjusted in real terms increased by 3,6% compared with the same period last year.
Sales of food, beverages and tobacco products in supermarkets, large grocery stores and other markets in April rose by 4.3% over the same period the previous year and by 4,7% compared with March.
At the April sales impacted the Easter holidays, which this year took place later than in 2010, when the majority of purchases for the Easter holidays were made in March, noted in a statistical agency.
