Modest turnover growth retail sector

Dutch retailers achieved 1 percent more turnover in June 2012 than in June 2011. Retail prices were nearly 2 percent higher; the volume of retail sales was nearly 1 percent down from twelve months previously.

Retail turnover is affected by the shopping-day and holiday pattern. June 2012 had a Wednesday and a Thursday fewer than June 2011, but an extra Friday and Saturday. Ascension and Whitsun were celebrated in May this year, whereas they were in June last year. These differences resulted in a more favourable shopping-day pattern in June 2012 than in June 2011, but the positive effect on sales cannot be measured.

Boosted by the more favourable shopping-day pattern, food, drinks and tobacco shops achieved over 4 percent more turnover. Supermarket sales grew by 4.5 percent, whereas specialised food shops achieved more than 2 percent more turnover.

The non-food sector faced a marginal turnover loss. Differences within the non-food sector were substantial. DIY stores, home furnishing shops, clothes shops and textile supermarkets struggled with declining sales, whereas consumer electronics outlets, chemists and shops selling household articles achieved substantial turnover growth compared with one year previously.

Petrol stations suffered a nearly 3 percent turnover loss. Apart from traditional shops and petrol stations, the retail sector also includes mail-order firms and online shops. Their sales were nearly 9 percent up in June.

Retail turnover

More figures can be found in dossier Business cycle.