Modest growth retail turnover

Turnover generated by the Dutch retail sector was 1.2 percent up in July from July 2012. Prices of retail commodities were 2.8 percent higher. The volume of retail sales fell by 1.6 percent relative to one year previously. The shopping-day pattern was more favourable in July this year than in July 2012. The positive effect of the shopping-day pattern on turnover is estimated at approximately 2.5 percent.

Food, drink and tobacco shops achieved good results. Their turnover was 6.9 percent up from twelve months previously. On average, retailers charged 4.0 percent more for food, drink and tobacco products. Turnover volume increased by 2.7 percent.

The non-food sector, on the other hand, faced a turnover loss of 2.6 percent. Prices of non-food products rose by an average of 2.0 percent. Turnover volume in the non-food sector was 4.5 percent down, but differences within this sector were considerable. Consumer electronics shops and home furnishing shops suffered substantial turnover losses. DIY shops and household appliances shops also performed poorly, but textile supermarkets, chemists’ shops and clothes shops realised turnover growth compared to twelve months previously.

Mail-order firms and online shops saw turnover rise by 10.7 percent relative to July 2012. In the preceding months, they had also generated substantial turnover growth.

Retail turnover