Markit Economics released its retail purchasing managers' index (PMI) for Germany on Friday. Germany's retail purchasing managers' index (PMI) declined 54.7 in August from 57.7 in July.

The decline was driven by a weak wholesale price inflation

"Sales continued to increase solidly, despite the rate of growth easing from July's multi-year high, and companies are optimistic that September's sales will exceed plans," an economist at Markit, Oliver Kolodseike, said.