Retail turnover 1 percent up in December
- Retail prices continue to rise, retail volume further down
- Marginal turnover growth non-food sector
Retail turnover was 1 percent up in December 2011 on December 2010. The average price increase in the retail sector was 2.5 percent; retail volume shrank by 1.5 percent. Sales in the food and non-food sector improved, according to the latest figures released by Statistics Netherlands.
Food, drinks and tobacco shops generated a marginal turnover growth. Prices went up and the volume of sales shrank. The same pattern was observed in October and November. Supermarkets realised a modest turnover growth in December, but the volume of supermarket sales declined relative to one year previously. Specialist shop sales dropped further.
Non-food sales increased by nearly 1 percent in December from December 2010. Clothes shops and household appliances shops in particular performed well. After five months of declining sales, DIY sales picked up. Turnover generated by textile supermarkets and consumer electronics shops dropped dramatically.
Mail-order firms and online shops had approximately the same turnover level in December last year as in the same month in the preceding year. Sales and prices at filling stations grew by more than 5 percent.
On average, retail turnover grew by 1 percent last year. Retail prices went up and the volume of sales declined throughout all quarters. In the first half of 2011, turnover grew marginally, but in the latter half, growth was almost zero.