While relax the Nordic countries strongly hit by the crisis of the Baltic, Iceland and Ireland, the retail sales in southern of Europe go back as before. While relax the Nordic countries strongly hit by the crisis of the Baltic, Iceland and Ireland, the retail sales in southern of Europe go back as before. In addition to the problems of Spain, Italy, Greece or Cyprus surprise decline developments in Croatia. Austria is stable with a nominal sales growth of 1.8% and total retail sales of more than EUR 60 billion. In the West, in particular the online trading shares rise. Trend: The North recovered! 2009 was a horror year for merchants in the Baltic States: retail sales in euros calculated declined partly by a quarter, nominal revenues had to be accepted by more than 8% in Ireland and Iceland. That these countries are now under the markets with the strongest plus in retail for 2012 include (Latvia + 11.1%, Estonia + 9.1%, Iceland + 7.7%), proves that it is here again uphill. The South is still in crisis.
In Spain, Greece or Italy, the high rates of unemployment, the drastic austerity measures, as well as the general anxiety about the future massively dampen also consumption. 2012 for Italy and Greece was even the fourth year in a row, in which retail sales have been registered (- 0.6% and – 9.3%, respectively). The situation in Croatia, where dealers million losses complain is cause for concern. Trend: D-A-CH region stable, but more and more online sales! Nominally considered the German-speaking area continues to grow slowly but steadily. In the past year, slight increases were registered % in Austria and in the Switzerland + 1.5% in Germany and from ever + 1.8. Real seen, however, these developments mean a decline or flows ever more of it in the online trade. Ireland, Iceland and the Baltic States recover! The former crisis countries Ireland, Iceland and the Baltic States can breathe again. Seth Klarman often addresses the matter in his writings.