Retail turnover down

• Volume of retail sales declines dramatically
• Plummeting sales non-food sector
• Supermarket sales improve further

Retail sales were 1.5 percent down in November 2012 from November 2011. Retail prices rose by 2.6 percent, retail volume shrank by 4 percent, according to the most recent figures released by Statistics Netherlands.

The shopping-day pattern was more favourable than in November 2011, in particular for the food sector. The positive effect on retail sales is estimated at approximately 2 percent.

Sales in the non-food sector were nearly 6 percent down from one year previously. The volume of sales in the non-food sector declined by approximately 7 percent. Save chemist shops, nearly all branches in the non-food sector reported loss of turnover.

Turnover realised by food, drinks and tobacco shops increased by more than 4 percent relative to November 2011. Volume grew by about 1 percent. With a turnover growth of more than 5 percent, supermarkets account for the increase. Specialist shops reported a turnover loss by 3 percent.

Mail-order companies and online shops generated a turnover growth by nearly 7 percent. Petrol stations noted a turnover decline of more than 3 percent.