Marginal growth retail turnover

Turnover generated by the Dutch retail sector was 0.8 percent up in January 2014 from January 2013. Retail prices were 0.2 percent higher than twelve months previously. The volume of retail sales grew by 0.6 percent. The shopping-day pattern was more favourable in January this year than in January 2013. The upward effect thereof on turnover is estimated at approximately 1 percent.

Turnover realised in the food-sector was 2.1 percent up, specialised food shops achieved better results than supermarkets. Retail prices of food products were 1.4 percent higher; the volume of sales rose by 0.8 percent.

The non-food sector achieved the same turnover levels as twelve months previously. Prices of non-food products and the volume of non-food sales also remained stable. The various branches within the non-food sector showed a mixed picture. Consumer electronics shops, DIY shops, home furnishing shops, textile supermarkets and chemist’s shops faced turnover losses. Clothes shops, on the other hand, achieved substantial turnover growth. Household appliances shops also generated more turnover than twelve months previously.

The majority of retail sales is generated in traditional shops. In 2013, non-food shops accounted for 48 percent of total retail turnover; shops in the food-sector accounted for 37 percent. Petrol stations contributed 9 percent and sales through non-shop retail channels accounted for the remaining 6 percent. Mail-order firms and on-line services have outperformed traditional shops for quite some time now. In January 2014, turnover generated by mail-order firms and online shops was  7.2 percent higher than in January 2013.

Retail turnover