In the first quarter of 2023, German ecommerce experienced a 15% decline in online sales of goods, predominantly in the fashion segment. In contrast, digital services, such as holiday bookings, saw a significant increase of over 28%. The food segment remained stable during this period, according to statistics released by Bevh, the German federal association for ecommerce.

The statistics are based on a survey of 40,000 Germans aged 14 and above, examining their consumption and spending behavior. In 2022, online retail in Germany witnessed a 5% decrease, with sales during the Christmas season dipping for the first time since 2014.

Between January and March 2023, online sales of goods generated €19.4 billion (including VAT), a 15% decrease compared to the same period in 2022, which saw sales of €22.8 billion. The fashion segment, including shoes, experienced a 20.8% fall, with sales of jewelry and watches dropping nearly 30%, followed by car and motorcycle accessories with a 25.8% decline.

However, sales of everyday goods saw a smaller decrease of 3%, and online food purchases remained stable with a 3.7% increase in Q1. Digital services continued their upward trajectory after the pandemic, with sales surging by over 28% to €2.4 billion.

Bevh suggests that the decline in sales after the holiday season is typical, but the numbers are also influenced by political uncertainty. Deputy Managing Director Martin Groß-Albenhausen explains that people are postponing non-urgent purchases, such as fashion, jewelry, and entertainment items. He adds, "It looks better in daily supplies for everyday use at home."