Retail turnover up by almost 5 percent in March

The figures for retail turnover have been adjusted for calendar days in March, because more is sold on certain days of the week than on others. Without such an adjustment, retail turnover in March 2024 would have been 3.9 percent higher than one year previously.

Turnover in non-food sector up by over 6 percent

Turnover in the non-food sector was up by 6.2 percent in March, year on year. Sales volume (turnover adjusted for price changes) was up by 6.7 percent from one year previously.

Chemists, shops selling footwear and leather products, clothes shops, shops selling recreational goods and those selling DIY products (including kitchens and flooring) saw year-on-year turnover growth in March. However, shops selling consumer electronics and white goods and those selling furniture and home furnishings recorded a decrease in turnover.

Turnover in food sector over 2 percent higher

Shops selling food, beverages and tobacco recorded a turnover in March that was 2.3 percent higher than one year previously. Sales volume was 0.3 percent higher. Turnover in supermarkets was up by 1.9 percent, and turnover in specialty shops was up by 5.5 percent.

Online turnover 2.3 percent higher

Turnover among online retailers was up by 2.3 percent in March, year on year. Online retailers (whose core activity is selling goods and services over the internet) recorded an increase in turnover of 3.8 percent. Multi-channel retailers (retailers selling goods and services over the internet as a secondary activity) saw turnover in their online sales up by 0.2 percent.

Online turnover for food and personal care products and other non-food products was higher in March than it was one year previously, while turnover for consumer electronics and clothing and fashion items was lower.