Retail turnover over 4 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 6 percent up

Turnover in the non-food sector was up by 5.7 percent in February year-on-year. The volume of sales (adjusted for price changes) increased by over 4 percent.

Shops selling DIY products, kitchens and flooring, and shops selling furniture and household articles achieved the highest turnover growth, just as in January. Turnover of shops selling shoes and leather products, shops selling recreational goods, shops selling consumer electronics, shops selling personal care products and clothes shops also increased.

1 percent turnover growth for food sector

Shops selling food, beverages and tobacco achieved 1.0 percent more turnover than in February 2018. The volume of sales increased by 0.7 percent. Supermarkets saw 1.3 percent turnover growth, while specialist shops saw their turnover decline by 0.7 percent.

Online shops realise almost 17 percent turnover growth

In February, online shops saw their turnover go up by 16.8 percent. Web shops recorded a turnover increase of 11.3 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 26.5 percent higher turnover in online sales.