Retail turnover down

Turnover in the Dutch retail sector was 0.6 percent smaller in April 2013 than in April 2012. Retail prices were 2.1 percent higher, whereas the volume of retail sales was 2.7 percent smaller. April 2013 had a different holiday and shopping-day pattern than April 2012. The positive effect of this on turnover is estimated at approximately 1 percent.

Turnover generated by food, drink and tobacco shops was 1.1 percent up from twelve months previously, whereas turnover in the non-food sector was 1.3 percent down. The non-food sector showed a mixed picture, however. Textile supermarkets generated substantially higher turnover levels and clothing shops and chemist shops also reported more turnover than in April 2012. Shops selling consumer electronics,  DIY items, household appliances and home furnishings, on the other hand, faced turnover losses.

Mail-order firms and online shops realised 12.3 percent turnover growth in April compared with twelve months previously.

Retail turnover