Retail turnover down

The retail sector faced 5.2 percent turnover loss in March 2013 relative to March 2012. Retail prices were 2.6 percent up, whereas the volume of retail sales was down by 7.7 percent. March 2013 had a different holiday and shopping-day pattern than March 2012. The negative effect thereof on turnover is estimated at approximately 2 percent.

Turnover generated by food, drink and tobacco shops was 4.2 percent up from March 2012. Prices were 4.4 percent higher, the volume of sales shrank by 0.2 percent. Turnover in the non-food sector was 11.9 percent down from twelve months previously. With the exception of chemist shops, turnover fell across the board, DIY-shops, clothing shops and textile supermarkets suffering the most.

Mail-order firms and online shops realised 6.3 percent turnover growth in March relative to twelve months previously.

Retail turnover