Retail turnover 0.5 percent down

• Turnover non-food sector again down from one year previously
• Supermarkets report turnover growth

The latest figures released by Statistics Netherlands show that retail turnover was 0.5 percent down in January 2013 from January 2012. Retail prices were 2.6 percent higher, volume shrank by 3 percent.

The shopping-day pattern was more favourable than in January last year. The positive effect thereof on total retail turnover is estimated at approximately 2 percent.

Just as in the preceding months, turnover growth in the non-food sector was negative compared to the same month one year previously. The turnover loss was more than 3 percent, volume dropped by nearly 5 percent. Only chemist’s shops and textile supermarkets showed turnover growth. Turnover growth was negative in other non-food branches.

Turnover generated by supermarkets improved significantly and gave a boost to the food, drinks and tobacco branch; turnover grew by nearly 6 percent relative to January last year. Prices were more than 4 percent higher, volume was 1.5 percent up, but after correction for the effects of the shopping-day pattern, the food, drinks and tobacco branch also endured loss of volume, although turnover improved marginally.

Mail-order firms and online shops recorded a turnover growth by 3 percent. The growth rate in this branch slowed down in January relative to 2012.