Retail turnover remains stable

Retail turnover in September 2012 was approximately the same as in September 2011. Retail prices were nearly 2 percent higher. The volume of retail sales was down by 2 percent.

Turnover generated by food, drinks and tobacco shops remained stable compared with September 2011. Turnover in the non-food sector also remained stable. The various branches in the non-food sector show a mixed picture, though. Home furnishing shops and shops selling household articles faced considerable turnover losses. Shops selling consumer electronics, clothes shops and textile supermarkets, on the other hand, achieved a substantial turnover growth.

Mail-order companies and internet retailers realised a turnover growth of more than 5 percent. Petrol stations generated slightly less turnover than in September 2011.

Retail turnover is affected by the shopping-day pattern. September 2012 had a Thursday and Friday less and a Saturday and Sunday more than September 2011, which made the shopping-day pattern more unfavourable. After adjustment for this shopping day effect, retail turnover was up by nearly 3 percent on one year previously. As a result, the volume of retail sales grew by 1 percent, the first increase in 2012.

Retail turnover