German consumer confidence is set to tick upwards, to 5.9 in March from 5.8 in February, a survey released by the GfK research group released Wednesday.
The Nuremberg-based group said the upward trend could continue, but only as long as the overall economic outlook remains positive and consumers remain confident they will have good jobs in the future.
Analysts have noted for years that consumer confidence is key to a strong German economy.
"If the financial markets also remain peaceful this year, consumers should not be unsettled. Under these conditions, it is very likely that consumption will continue to be a major pillar of the economy in 2013," GfK said.
The survey includes data from about 2,000 households.