Considerable growth Dutch retail sales

• Highest turnover in more than 2 years
• Sales non-food sector nearly 4 percent higher
• Turnover supermarkets more than 5 percent up

In November 2010, retail turnover grew 4.3 percent relative to the same period in the previous year, mainly due to a 3.0 percent volume growth. Retail prices rose by 1.3 percent. The sector reports the most substantial turnover growth in more than 2 years in November.

A more favourable shopping-day pattern in November 2010 compared to November 2009 had a positive effect on retail sales. If this effect is eliminated, there is still a significant turnover growth of nearly 3 percent.

Non-food shops realised a nearly 4 percent higher turnover in November than one year previously. The volume of sales accounted for the increase. Prices of non-food articles stabilised. Clothes shops and shops selling household appliances improved their turnover in November. Within the non-food sector, home furnishing shops were the only category to face turnover loss.

Food, drinks and tobacco shops realised a turnover growth by nearly 5 percent in November. Volume increased by more than 3 percent, prices by more than 1 percent. Turnover growth in food shops is entirely attributable to supermarkets. Sales of specialised shops in food, drinks and tobacco remained at the same level.