Modest turnover growth retail trade

• Higher turnover in July due to favourable shopping-day pattern
• Supermarkets performing well

According to the latest figures released by Statistics Netherlands, retail turnover was 1.2 percent up in July 2013 from July last year. Retail prices rose by 2.8 percent, retail volume shrank by 1.6 percent.

The shopping-day pattern was more favourable than in July last year. July 2013 had one Sunday less and one Wednesday more than July 2012. If calendar effects are not taken into account, total retail turnover was approximately 1 percent below the level of July last year.

Food, drinks and tobacco shops saw turnover improve by nearly 7 percent. Prices  and volume were respectively 4 and 3 percent higher. Supermarkets generated the most substantial turnover growth (8.1 percent) since January 2009. Higher prices and volume growth contributed equally to turnover growth. Turnover realised by specialist shops remained stable in July relative to twelve months previously.

Turnover in the non-food sector fell by nearly 3 percent. Prices were 2 percent up from one year previously, but volume declined by 4.5 percent. Consumer electronics shops and home furnishing shops again faced dramatic loss of turnover. DIY shops and household appliances shops also performed poorly, but chemist’s shops, clothes shops and in particular textile supermarkets achieved turnover growth.

Mail-order firms and online shops continue to thrive. Turnover growth in July was nearly 11 percent relative to the same month last year.