Retail turnover slightly up

Dutch retailers generated 0.6 percent more turnover in August than one year previously. The shopping-day pattern in August 2010 was less favourable than in August 2009. After elimination of this effect, turnover was more than 2 percent up on twelve months previously. Retail prices were 1 percent higher than in August 2009.

In August, turnover in the non-food sector was over 1 percent up on one year previously. Clothes shops and consumer electronics shops recorded the highest turnover growth. Chemist shops and DIY shops, on the other hand, faced loss of turnover. After correction for the shopping-day pattern, turnover growth in the non-food sector came close to 3 percent.

Turnover in the food sector was more than 1 percent down on August 2009. Specialised food shops faced a substantial turnover loss. Supermarket sales were also down on one year previously, although to a much lesser extent. Turnover developments in the food sector were also affected negatively by the shopping-day pattern. After correction, turnover was more than 1 percent higher.

Petrol stations realised a 1 percent higher turnover. Petrol stations account for nearly one tenth of total retail turnover.

Retail turnover