Robust growth retail turnover

Retail turnover was nearly 8 percent higher in May than in May 2007. In April retail turnover was nearly 4 percent higher than twelve months previously. This is largely due to differences in the shopping day pattern. The shopping day pattern in May 2008 was more favourable than in May 2007. After correction for the positive effect of the shopping day pattern, turnover increased substantially by over 5 percent. Prices of retail products were 2.5 percent up on May 2007.

Turnover in the food sector was 12 percent up on one year ago. Supermarkets realised a turnover increase of almost 15 percent, while turnover of specialist shops in food, drinks and tobacco hardly grew. Prices soared in the food sector. Food prices were 5 percent higher than twelve months ago.

Turnover in the non-food sector also increased. Non-food shops sold over 5 percent more. After a month of steep decline, clothes shops and textile supermarkets realised a higher turnover in May. Consumer electronics shops and home furnishing shops, on the other hand, faced loss of turnover.

Retail turnover