The German trade union verdi staged a nationwide strike in the retail and wholesale sector on Friday, with major companies Ikea and Metro AG among those affected. Petra Ringer from verdi said at midday that she was “quite satisfied” with the turnout, although she did not provide a number of participants. Meanwhile, the German Retail Association (HDE) was unimpressed by renewed industrial action in the faltering wage dispute. The employers are well prepared for the strikes, said Steven Haarke, Managing Director of HDE. “We still do not expect any noticeable effects for customers,” he added. Col…