Retail turnover down

In April retail turnover was nearly 3 percent down on one year previously. The decrease was completely accounted for by a decrease in volume; prices remained about the same.

Retail turnover is affected by the number of shopping days and the holiday pattern. In 2009, April had a Tuesday fewer and a Thursday more than in 2008. Easter fell in April this year, versus March last year. After correction for this effect, turnover was about 4 percent lower than last year.

Turnover in shops selling non-food items was down by 5 percent compared with April last year. Clothes shops and textile supermarkets realised higher turnover levels. Other branches booked less turnover. Turnover falls in shops selling consumer electronics, and furniture and home decor were in double digits.

Shops in the food sector on the other hand booked a lot more turnover in April: nearly 7 percent. Food prices were 4 percent higher than one year previously. Within the food sector, supermarkets realised the highest turnover growth rates. Specialist food shops booked slightly less turnover than twelve moths previously.

Petrol stations realised 15 percent less turnover than in April last year. Nearly all of this decrease was the result of lower fuel prices.

Retail turnover