German consumers appear to be girding themselves to spend, spend, spend according to the latest confidence index from GfK.<br /><br /> Its indicator, based on a survey of 2000 Germans, edged up in May and is at its highest level since October 2001. The uptick also confounded the consensus forecast.<br /><br /> The pollster underlined the persistent very robust domestic demand in Germany and the low rate of inflation as key factors.<br /><br /> Record low unemployment is also ensuring people have some money to spend, most welcome as the export stall has robbed Germany of a vital economic engine.
