Retail turnover almost 3 percent up in February

Retail turnover data have been adjusted for changes in the shopping-day pattern. Retail sales tend to vary from one day to the next. In February, however, there is no shopping-day effect. February has four calendar weeks.

Turnover growth non-food sector almost 1 percent

Turnover in the non-food sector rose by almost 1 percent in February. The volume of sales (adjusted for price changes) was over 1 percent up year-on-year.

Shops selling furniture and shops selling personal care products achieved the largest turnover increase. Turnover of shops selling clothes and shops selling recreational goods also grew.

For the first time since July 2016, turnover generated by shops selling DIY products, kitchens and flooring decreased year-on-year. Shops selling footwear and leather products and shops selling consumer electronics and white goods also recorded turnover losses.

Over 2 percent higher turnover for food sector

Shops selling food, beverages and tobacco achieved 2.4 percent turnover growth in February. The volume of sales increased by almost 1 percent. Supermarkets saw turnover growth, while specialist shops recorded turnover loss. Similarly, volume of sales by supermarkets was up and volume of sales by specialist shops was down.

Online shops realise 17.5 percent turnover growth

In February, online shops saw their turnover go up by 17.5 percent year-on-year. Web shops recorded a turnover increase of almost 16 percent; their core activity is selling goods and services over the Internet. Multi-channel retailers (retailers selling goods and services over the Internet as a side activity) achieved almost 21 percent higher turnover in online sales.

With effect from the reporting month January 2018, retail turnover figures are published using 2015 as the base year (previously 2010=100). This means that the indices are based on the turnover and price weightings from 2015.