Substantial drop for retail turnover in September

Turnover generated by the Dutch retail sector was 5.9 percent down in September 2013 from September 2012. Prices of retail commodities were on average 1.4 percent higher. The volume of retail sales fell by 7.2 percent compared with one year previously. The shopping-day pattern was less favourable in September this year than in September 2012. This had an estimated negative effect of approximately 1.5 percent on turnover.

Shops in the non-food sector faced a turnover loss of 8.8 percent. Prices of non-food products rose by an average of 0.6 percent. Turnover growth compared to twelve months previously may be affected by tax measures. On 1 October 2012, the VAT rate in the Netherlands was raised from 19 to 21 percent. In anticipation of this increase, many Dutch consumers may have brought forward purchases of expensive items to September last year.

Turnover in the food-sector fell by 2.3 percent. On average, retailers in this sector charged 3.3 percent more for their products. Turnover volume was 5.4 percent smaller.

Mail-order firms and online shops saw turnover rise by 7.1 percent compared with September 2012. In the preceding months, turnover levels were also substantially higher than twelve months previously.

Retail turnover