Recession tantalizes Germans' sweet tooth

BERLIN: The worst recession for decades is making Germans turn to sweets and snacks as comfort food, figures suggested yesterday.

Data from market research firm ACNielsen showed sales of confectionery, biscuits, crisps and nuts rising 1.6 percent in the first three months of the year.

By comparison, Europe's largest economy shrank 3.8 percent in the same period, as demand collapsed for exports of German cars, chemicals and machinery, and as Germans cut down on spending.