Retail sales in the country are expected to have grown 4% in 2020.

That is, according to the National Statistics Office.

The forecast follows a surprisingly buoyant November.

Sales that month rose 1.9% when economists had forecast a drop.

That was thanks to very strong growth in online sales and spending on home improvements.

Sales at online and delivery retailers were up by almost a third on the year.

Spending on household appliances, decorations and building materials rose by just over 15%.

But if Germans are getting house proud, they aren't dressing to impress Clothing sales fell by 1/5 over the same period.

The November figures cover a month when Germany waas in only partial locked down.