As of 2023, there were approximately 24.23 thousand enterprises in the retail sale of non-specialized stores with food, beverages, or tobacco predominating sector in Germany. The forecast for 2024 predicts a small decrease to 24.16 thousand, with a steady decline each year until 2028, ending at 23.82 thousand. This represents a consistent downward trend with an average compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of approximately -0.34% over the forecasted period. This minor yet consistent decline reflects slight market contractions year-on-year, with variations from 2023 being notably close to flat yet negative.

Future trends to watch for include:

Impact of digital disruption and online grocery shopping on physical store numbers.
Economic shifts and consumer spending behavior affecting demand in physical retail spaces.
Regulatory changes and health trends influencing demand for tobacco and alcohol sales.