Retail turnover 3.5 percent up in May

Retail turnover data have been adjusted for changes in the shopping-day pattern. Retail sales tend to vary from one day to the next. If the shopping-day pattern is not taken into account, May’s retail turnover was nearly 6 percent higher than in the same month last year.

Turnover growth non-food sector nearly 3 percent

Turnover in the non-food sector rose by nearly 3 percent in May. Sales (turnover adjusted for price changes) were nearly 4 percent up on a yearly basis.

Shops selling DIY products, kitchens and floor coverings achieved turnover growth for the eleventh month in a row. Turnover generated by furniture shops and household appliances shops grew for the eighth consecutive month. Shops selling footwear, leather products and chemist shops and perfume shops also reported turnover growth. The sales volume realised by clothing shops was up from May 2016, but turnover remained the same.

After two months of turnover growth, recreational retailers faced loss of turnover in May. Consumer electronics shops sold more products, but turnover was marginally down from the same month last year.

Nearly 2 percent turnover growth for food sector

Food, beverages and tobacco shops generated a turnover growth by nearly 2 percent in May, mainly due to higher consumer prices, because the volume of sales was the same as in May 2016. Turnover realised by supermarkets increased more than 2 percent, while specialist shops recorded a negative growth rate of 1 percent compared to the same month last year.

Online shops realise nearly 24 percent turnover growth

Online shops saw turnover grow by approximately 24 percent in May. Web shops recorded a turnover surge by nearly 22 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 of more than 25 percent.