Retail turnover nearly 5 percent up in April

Retail turnover data have been adjusted for changes in the shopping-day pattern. Retail sales tend to vary from one day to the next. Moreover, Easter fell in April this year and last year in March. This had a distinct effect on turnover generated by food, beverages and tobacco shops. If the shopping-day pattern is not taken into account, April’s retail turnover was almost 3 percent higher than in April 2016.

Turnover growth non-food sector 4 percent

Turnover in the non-food sector rose by 4 percent in April. Sales (turnover corrected for price changes) were nearly 5 up on an annual basis.

Shops selling DIY articles, kitchens and floor coverings achieved turnover growth for the tent month in a row. Turnover generated by furniture shops, household appliances shops and clothing shops grew for the seventh consecutive month. Shops selling footwear, leather products and recreational goods and chemist and perfume shops also reported turnover growth.

In February, March and April, consumer electronics shops faced loss of turnover relative to the same months last year.

Turnover growth food retailers nearly 4 percent

Food, beverages and tobacco shops achieved a turnover growth by nearly 4 percent in April. Sales were almost 3 percent up from April 2016. Turnover created by supermarkets and specialist shops grew by 4 and nearly 2 percent respectively compared to the same month last year.

Online shops realise nearly 18 percent turnover growth

Year-on-year, online turnover grew by approximately 18 percent in April. Web shops recorded a surge in turnover by 25 percent; their core activity is selling goods and services over the internet. Multi-channelers (retailers selling goods and services over the Internet and in the traditional manner) realised a turnover growth by 13 percent.