Wholesale & Retail

Development of the industry economy

With over 300,000 companies (excluding motor vehicle retail), more than 3 million employees, and over 103,000 trainees, the retail sector is one of the most employment-intensive economic sectors in Germany. According to the Federal Statistical Office, the retail sector (excluding the motor trade) generated sales of 565 billion euros in 2015.

Wholesale trade (excluding motor vehicle trade) comprises around 153,000 companies in Germany. According to the Federal Statistical Office, it employs 1.86 million people and generated sales of 1,154 billion euros in 2015.

The Corona pandemic measures hit the wholesale and retail sectors hard. Wholesale sales slumped -9.7 percent in nominal terms and -6.8 percent in real terms in April 2020 and -10.3 percent in nominal terms and -6.6 percent in real terms in May. However, companies with an e-commerce focus benefited to some extent from the Corona pandemic.

Trends in wholesale and retail

Corporate social responsibility is playing an increasingly important role in the retail sector
Internationalization – companies are no longer confined to one market and it is easier than ever to enter new markets
E-commerce sales are increasing exponentially and stationary trade is declining more and more (intensified by the Corona pandemic), new opportunities are opening up: keyword Click & Collect (linking stationary and online trade)