Robust increase turnover non-food shops

Retail trade recorded a turnover growth of 2.6 percent in April 2007 relative to April 2006. Just like in the preceding months, non-food shops performed very well. Food shops recorded a marginal turnover decline.

Retail prices were 2.1 percent higher in April than one year previously, volume increased by 0.5 percent. The shopping day pattern in April 2007 was less favourable than in April last year. 

Record turnover for clothes shops

Turnover in the non-food sector grew 5.4 percent in April. Clothes shops were doing exceptionally well and recorded an average turnover increase by more than 13 percent. April’s mild weather conditions appear to have had a positive effect on turnover. Home furnishing shops faced a turnover decline compared to twelve months ago.

Turnover food shops marginally down

Shops selling food, drinks and tobacco reported a decrease in sales in April by 1.9 percent relative to April 2006. The downturn is due to the unfavourable shopping day pattern. After correction for shopping days, turnover would have grown marginally. In the first four months of 2007, food shop sales lagged behind last year’s results over the same period.