Retail turnover down again

In April 2005 turnover in retail trade was 3.5 percent down on April 2004. Retailers have suffered turnover losses for two years now. In April 2005 turnover declined in all retail branches. According to the latest figures released by Statistics Netherlands, prices were 1.2 percent below the level of one year previously and turnover volume fell 2.3 percent.

Food sector suffers a 4 percent drop in turnover

In April 2005 turnover in food and tobacco shops was 4 percent down on April 2004. Products were 1.6 percent cheaper. The volume of turnover in food and tobacco shops fell by 2.5 percent.

Turnover achieved by supermarkets was 4 percent below the level of twelve months ago. Specialist shops, such as butcher’s and greengrocer’s shops also suffered a loss in turnover of nearly 4 percent.

Specialist shops have lost market share to supermarkets for a successive number of years now and earlier surveys conducted by Statistics Netherlands show that butcher’s and greengrocer’s shops are rapidly disappearing from the streets. In the period 1994-2004 the number of butcher’s and greengrocer’s shops was reduced almost by half.  

Turnover non-food shops drops by 3.5 percent

Turnover in the non-food sector dropped 3.5 percent in April 2005 compared to April last year. Prices fell nearly 1 percent in this period, turnover volume was reduced by 2.6 percent.

The most substantial turnover loss in the non-food sector (5.3 percent)  occurred  in shops selling household goods. Turnover in shops selling consumer electronics, for instance household appliances, telecom and photographic equipment and computers, suffered a sizeable loss of turnover. In 2003 and 2004 consumer electronics also faced a considerable loss of turnover.

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