Retail turnover in decline

Turnover generated by the Dutch retail sector was 0.9 percent down in November 2013 from November 2012. Retail prices were at the same level as twelve months previously. The volume of retail sales fell by 0.9 percent. The shopping-day pattern was somewhat more favourable in November 2013 than twelve months previously. The upward effect thereof on turnover is estimated at 0.5 percent.

Shops in the non-food sector faced 1.4 percent loss of turnover. Prices of non-food products fell by an average of 0.5 percent and the volume of sales declined by 0.9 percent. The non-food sector showed a mixed picture. Home furnishing shops, consumer electronics shops, DIY shops and household appliances shops faced loss of turnover, but clothes shops and textile supermarkets generated higher turnover  levels. For chemist’s shops turnover remained fairly stable.

Turnover realised in the food-sector was 0.8 percent up from one year previously. On average, retail prices of non-food articles were 1.5 percent higher; the volume of sales was down by 0.7 percent. Turnover generated by mail-order firms and online shops rose by 7.4 percent compared to November 2012. In the preceding months, turnover levels had also been substantially higher than twelve months previously.

Retail turnover