Stagnation in retail sector

• Turnover almost unchanged after correction for shopping days
• Sales non-food sector down
• Turnover supermarkets distinctly higher
  

According to the latest figures released by Statistics Netherlands, July’s retail turnover was 0.9 percent up on the same month last year. Retail prices were nearly 2 percent higher than one year previously. Turnover volume shrank by nearly 1 percent. 

The modest turnover growth is predominantly due to a more favourable shopping day pattern in July compared to July 2009. After correction for this effect, turnover remained more or less unchanged.

Non-food shops lost nearly 2 percent turnover in July 2010 relative to one year ago. Prices of non-food commodities remained stable. Home furnishing shops faced loss of turnover, but shops selling household appliances realised considerable turnover growth. Consumer electronics shops also achieved better results in July.

Turnover of shops selling food, drinks and tobacco products improved more than 4 percent in July relative to July 2009. Prices were nearly 2 percent up. Volume grew 2.5 percent. Supermarkets almost entirely accounted for the turnover growth by more than 5 percent in food shops. After correction for the shopping day pattern, supermarkets achieved a turnover growth by more than 3 percent. Specialised food shop sales were down on July last year.