The gap between the financial situation and the level of disposable income in the East and West became all too apparent today as European powerhouse Germany and the booming Asian giant of China released consumer spending statistics.

Whilst according to provisional results from the German Federal Statistical Office, retail trade sales fell 2.2% in real terms in September; China posted a massive 17% rise in the same month. The year-to-date figures further underline this trend as German sales dropped 1.6% in the first nine months, whilst China posted an improvement of 15.9%.

On a slightly more positive note for the established economies, Germany did post an 11.7% rise in sales of clothing, footwear and leathergoods in September.

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