'Germany is back - not just in sports, but also in terms of the economy' Rainer Bruederle, Economy minister in Germany told parliament in his speech.  Bruederle was positive about the economy following the sales data, comparing Germany's recovery from a slump in 2009 to its performance in the World  Cup soccer.  German retail sales have posted their first monthly increase in three months in May, raising hopes that consumer spending may stabilise on the back of a labour market recovery.  According to the Irish Times  on Thursday 1st July, 2010 'An upbeat manufacturing survey and news of a record jump in engineering orders in May also indicated that Europe's largest economy is gaining steam.'  Click here for full article