Large increase in retail turnover

In October, retail turnover was more than 6 percent up on one year previously. Prices rose by over 1 percent. Turnover volume grew by 5 percent.

The favourable shopping day pattern positively influenced turnover growth. October 2007 had one Wednesday more and one Sunday less than October 2006. After a first correction for this effect, the turnover growth rate turned out to be about 4 percent. This is almost the same growth rate as in the first nine months of this year. However, in 2006, turnover growth still exceeded 5 percent.

In October food stores performed especially well. Their turnover increased by more than 8 percent. Especially super markets realised more turnover. With less than a 2 percent increase in turnover, shops specialized in food, drinks and tobacco lagged far behind the 9 percent super market growth. Most of the increase in the turnover of the food sector was caused by a larger sales volume, and some by higher prices. Especially bread, dairy products and fresh vegetables were more expensive in October 2007 than the year before.

Growth in the non-food sector continues. The increase of turnover compared to the year before was 5 percent. All distinguished branches showed an increase in sales. This growth of the non-food sector is higher than in the first three quarters, but lower than in 2006 on average.

Retail turnover