Retail trade up in August

Retail turnover was 3.5 percent higher in August 2005 than in the same month last year. Prices were 1.0 percent lower than twelve months previously, the volume of turnover was 4.6 percent higher. The non-food sector in particular accounted for a sharp increase in turnover, according to figures from Statistics Netherlands. 

The increase in retail turnover was partly caused by the difference in the shopping day composition between August this year and August last year. After correction for this effect, turnover in August was slightly higher than in the same month last year. 

Substantial growth in turnover for non-food outlets

Turnover for non-food shops  was 4.8 percent higher in August than twelve months previously. This is the highest growth rate for this sector since October 2002. Prices in the non-food sector were 1.6 percent lower than in the same month last year, while the volume of turnover was 6.5 percent higher.

Turnover developed differently for the various branches in non-food. Shops selling clothes and home furnishings had high growth rates: 8.1 and 7.7 percent respectively. Shops selling household items had a lower turnover than last year (-4.6 percent). 

Slight increase for food sector

Shops selling food, drink and tobacco booked 1.4 percent more turnover than in the same month last year. Prices were around the same level, the volume rose by 1.3 percent.

Supermarkets sold 1.5 percent more than in August last year, small specialised food shops sold 0.9 percent more.