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EU Retail Loses Share of Private Consumption, NIQ Report

A NielsenIQ (NIQ) report finds that EU purchasing power per capita rose nominally by 3.3% in 2025 to €22,425, while retail sales in the EU grew only 2.1%, slowing from previous years. Total available funds across the 27 EU states reached roughly €10.1 trillion. The share of private consumption spent in retail fell to 31.9% in 2025, with Germany the lowest at 22.2% and Croatia the highest at 48.3%. Retail sales growth varied widely across markets (Norway +13.1%, Lithuania +10.5%, Sweden +8.9%, Bulgaria +8.2%, Slovakia +8.0%); the UK saw a -0.6% decline. Average EU inflation dropped to 2.5% in 2025 but NIQ expects inflation to rise to about 3.1% in 2026, which could keep pressure on retailers as consumers shift spending toward services, travel and leisure.

• NielsenIQ (NIQ) reports average purchasing power per EU inhabitant rose 3.3% in 2025 to €22,425.
• Total available consumer funds across the 27 EU states were approximately €10.1 trillion in 2025.
• EU retail sales grew 2.1% in 2025, slower than the 3.3% gain in purchasing power.

PDD Holdings Grows, Investments Weigh on Profit

PDD Holdings, parent of Temu and Pinduoduo, reported second-quarter 2026 results showing revenue growth but lower net profit due to higher investments. Q2 revenue rose 8% year-on-year to RMB 112.4 billion, driven by transaction services, while net income attributable to shareholders fell 12% to RMB 27.2 billion. Operating expenses increased as the company expanded spending on merchant subsidies, marketing, compliance, and platform development. PDD retains a strong liquidity position with RMB 456.4 billion in cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments and positive operating cash flow, and management says it prioritizes long-term platform-building over short-term profit maximization amid a complex regulatory environment.

• PDD Holdings reported Q2 2026 revenue of RMB 112.4 billion (approx. USD 16.6 billion), up 8% year-on-year.
• Net income attributable to shareholders fell 12% to RMB 27.2 billion in Q2 2026.
• Transaction services revenue increased 13% to RMB 54.7 billion; online marketing and other services generated RMB 57.6 billion.

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Survey: Temu Helps European SMEs Expand Internationally

A Retail-News article reports on a Temu company survey (as cited by EcommerceNews.eu) showing that 34% of surveyed European Temu sellers expanded into new international markets after joining the platform. The survey of 152 merchants across Germany, France, Spain, Italy, Poland and the UK (conducted in June–July 2026) also found that 50% increased production capacity or hired additional staff, 65% cited seller support as a key advantage, and 75% consider Temu an important or their primary sales channel. Temu says it is active in more than 90 markets and enables sellers from over 35 countries to join the platform.

• 34% of surveyed European Temu sellers expanded sales into new international markets after joining Temu.
• Survey covered 152 Temu merchants from Germany, France, Spain, Italy, Poland and the UK and was conducted in June–July 2026.
• 50% of respondents reported expanding production capacity, hiring additional staff, or both.

Import Prices Up 6.8% in July; Energy Drives Rise

Germany's import prices rose 6.8% year-on-year in July 2026 and 0.2% month-on-month, driven primarily by much higher energy and intermediate goods costs, the Federal Statistical Office (Destatis) reports. Export prices increased 4.2% year-on-year — the strongest rise since February 2023 — with energy exports (notably mineral oil products and natural gas) showing particularly large price gains. Intermediate goods were 10.2% more expensive year-on-year, while energy import prices were 26.4% higher. Imported consumer goods and agricultural imports showed mixed trends, with food imports down 6.8% year-on-year. Excluding energy, import prices rose 4.8% year-on-year, indicating persistent cost pressure for industries and international supply chains.

• German import prices rose 6.8% year-on-year in July 2026 and 0.2% compared with June 2026.
• Export prices increased 4.2% year-on-year in July 2026 — the strongest rise since February 2023.
• Import prices for energy were 26.4% above the previous year's level; intermediate (pre-production) goods rose 10.2% year-on-year.

German Advertising Council Sees More Complaints in H1 2026

The Deutscher Werberat's half‑year report shows an increase in both the number of complaints and the number of rulings (Beanstandungen) during the first half of 2026. Many complaints related to advertising deemed discriminatory or offensive. The article was published on August 28, 2026 by Svenja Fennel on Horizont (dfv Mediengruppe).

• The Deutscher Werberat's half‑year report indicates that both the number of complaints and the number of rulings (Beanstandungen) rose in the first half of 2026.
• Many of the complaints received in H1 2026 concerned advertising with discriminatory or offensive content.
• The article was published on August 28, 2026 and authored by Svenja Fennel on Horizont.