Retail turnover 3 percent up in August

Retail turnover data were adjusted for changes in the shopping-day pattern in August. Retail sales tend to vary from one day to the next. If the shopping-day pattern is not taken into account, retail turnover in August 2019 was 3.9 percent higher than in the same month last year.

Turnover growth non-food sector 2 percent up

In August, turnover in the non-food sector was up by 2.0 percent year-on-year. The volume of sales (adjusted for price changes) decreased by 0.5 percent.

For the third consecutive month the highest turnover growth was achieved by shops selling furniture, household articles, DIY products, kitchens and flooring, just as in the first quarter of 2019. Turnover of shops selling recreational goods and shops selling personal care products was higher year-on-year as well. However, turnover was down for shops selling consumer electronics and white goods, clothes shops and shops selling footwear and leather products.

Turnover food sector also 2 percent up

Shops selling food, beverages and tobacco achieved 2.0 percent more turnover than in August 2018. The volume of sales remained more or less the same. Turnover of supermarkets grew by 2.4 percent, while specialist shops saw their turnover decline by 0.7 percent.

Online shops realise almost 14 percent turnover growth

In August, online shops saw their turnover go up by 13.9 percent year-on-year. Web shops recorded a turnover increase of 10.5 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 19.5 percent higher turnover in online sales.