{
  "id": 9718786,
  "title": "Konsumklima: Sparen statt Shoppen: Verbraucher halten ihr Geld zusammen",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/25/konsumklima-sparen-statt-shoppen-verbraucher-halten-ihr-geld-zusammen",
  "topic": "finance",
  "section": "Finance & Markets",
  "published": "2026-09-25T06:00:06.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Handelsblatt",
    "slug": "handelsblatt",
    "url": "https://www.handelsblatt.com/politik/deutschland/konsumklima-sparen-statt-shoppen-verbraucher-halten-ihr-geld-zusammen/100257348.html"
  },
  "original_language": "de",
  "account": "German consumers are hoarding money in the face of rising energy costs and geopolitical uncertainty, according to a recent study by the Nürnberger Institute NIM and GfK. The study, conducted in September, revealed a significant rise in the frugality of Germans, while their expectations of income decreased substantially. Both saving tendencies and the inclination to make larger purchases slightly declined, reported the institutes in the outcome of their monthly survey. Energy prices are affecting expectations, as the majority of households expect high energy prices to reduce their purchasing power, said NIM consumption expert Rolf Bürkl. Consequently, they are wary of future income prospects over the next twelve months. The frugality even surged to a level not seen since the 2008 financial crisis. \"The high energy prices stir uncertainty among consumers, and they come to the conclusion that it is prudent to save given the general economic situation,\" analyze the consumption researchers. Higher frugality was observed particularly in households with better financial conditions. \"There, there seems to be a need to compensate for the loss of purchasing power that occurred through increased inflation by saving more,\" the consumption climate study explains. Positive expectations of the economic cycle have improved, at least slightly - for the fifth month in a row. This could be due to the improved growth forecasts of economic institutes. The current analysis was conducted between September 3rd and 14th, 2026, on behalf of the EU Commission, based on 2,000 consumer interviews.",
  "summary": "Die Sparneigung der Bundesbürger ist im September gestiegen. Konsumforscher führen dies vor allem auf die hohen Energiepreise zurück.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}