Retail turnover over 3 percent up in July

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, retail turnover in July 2021 was 3.9 percent higher than in the same month last year.

Turnover in non-food sector over 3 percent higher

In July, turnover in the non-food sector was up by 3.3 percent year-on-year. The volume of sales (adjusted for price changes) grew by 1.7 percent compared to the same month last year. Relative to July 2019, turnover of non-food shops was up by almost 13 percent in July 2021.

In July, clothes shops and shops selling footwear and leather products realised higher turnover year-on-year for the fifth consecutive month. Turnover of these shops was also higher compared to July 2019. Shops selling furniture and home furnishings, selling personal care products and those selling DIY products, kitchens and flooring also recorded year-on-year turnover growth in July 2021; they achieved growth relative to July 2019 as well. Shops selling consumer electronics and white goods and shops selling recreational goods achieved less turnover than twelve months previously, but more turnover than in July 2019.

Less turnover for food shops

Shops selling food, beverages and tobacco achieved 1.2 percent less turnover in July 2021 than in July 2020. The volume of sales was 0.7 percent lower. Turnover at specialist shops was down by 2.3 percent and turnover at supermarkets by 1 percent year-on-year. Relative to July 2019, the food retail sector realised 4.6 percent higher turnover.

Online turnover over 11 percent higher

In July 2021, online turnover was up by 11.1 percent year-on-year. Web shops recorded a turnover increase of 12.6 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 9 percent higher turnover in online sales.