The latest consumer barometer published by the German Trade Association (HDE) shows: consumer sentiment is declining, consumer restraint is increasing. Private consumption will hardly grow in the coming months. There is no general growth stimulus in sight for the retail sector, which means that the further economic outlook remains bleak.

“This is generally not good news for the retail sector either, but there is no reason to bury our heads in the sand, or to do nothing. On the contrary: If you create emotional shopping experiences at the POS now, you will stimulate additional sales and create your own economic boom. Even if customers are currently reluctant to make rational purchasing decisions, there is still a high willingness to spend on emotional purchases such as self-rewards, gifts, products for children or pets, hobbies and so on,” Werner Vogt, Managing Director of Permaplay Media Solutions, is sure.