Mintel’s latest research show that 57.4% of the mixed goods sector in Germany is accounted for by Karstadt and Kaufhof, ranking among the Europe’s top four department store businesses.

The depressed German economic climate has led the mixed goods sector to a 15.6% decline in the sector value over the past five years, underperforming the retail market and losing ground in non-food retail. The continuous fall in department stores’ sales is partly due to the lack of investment in equipment to compete with discounters and the slowness to stock an assortment that reflects consumers’ changing tastes. However department stores’ strategies are now becoming more upmarket and customer focused. The economy is also showing signs of recovery, which enables Mintel to predict a modest growth of 1.7% between 2004 and 2009.

Using the latest market size data and trend analysis, this report provides vital new insight into the current state of the market and its prospects.

In addition, Mintel’s retail analysts provide an incisive review of the operational strengths, weaknesses and sales performance of the market’s leading retailers. Mintel’s findings offer you a unique way of understanding the prospects for department store retailers in Germany, enabling you to accurately evaluate the market for successful investment strategies. Use Mintel’s research to avoid market pitfalls, discover sector opportunities, identify growth potential and achieve the best possible results.

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" Department Store retailing in Germany" is part of "Department Store retailing in Europe", a Retail Intelligence title. Should you wish to order more than one market report from with the title, please call the Mintel Information Team to discuss potential multiple-purchase discounts.