Retail turnover nearly 4 percent higher

03/04/2008 15:00

In January 2008, retail turnover was nearly 4 percent higher than in January 2007, but it needs to be borne in mind that the shopping day pattern was more favourable than in January last year. After a rough correction for this effect, retail turnover was just over 2 percent higher. Prices were nearly 2 percent up on twelve months previously.

Turnover in the food sector increased by 6 percent in January. Products sold in food shops were nearly 3 percent more expensive than in January 2007. Supermarkets almost entirely accounted for the turnover increase. Turnover in specialist shops for food, drinks and tobacco hardly improved relative to one year previously.

For the fourth month in a row, turnover growth in the food sector was higher than in the non-food sector. Retailers in the non-food sector realised a 2.5 percent higher turnover than in January 2007. Prices were nearly 1 percent up.

In 2007, retail turnover increased by nearly 4 percent, as against more than 5 percent in 2006. Turnover in the food sector increased at the same rate last year as turnover in the non-food sector.

The figures published in this update have been adjusted relative to retail figures published on 13 March 2008. The revision is based on new and more detailed information.