Wolfgang Werner, chief executive of DIY chain Praktiker, has called the bottom of the market in Germany and said he expects the economy there to be picking up soon. Werner said sales had “distinctly stabilised” over April and May, meaning it has “largely” compensated for the sales decline in the first quarter.

Praktiker has also put its expansion plans on hold but has reduced the number of store staff forced on shorter work hours from 81 shops in March to just five.

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