Retail sales in August were smaller than a year ago

In August, the retail sales of goods of retail trade enterprises were 4.8 billion kroons. In grocery stores the retail sales of goods decreased 3% compared with August of the previous year. The decrease in sales was significantly influenced by a rapid growth in the prices of food products. The retail sales in stores selling manufactured goods decreased by 9% compared with the same month of the previous year. Compared to August of the previous year, the retail sales decreased in most economic activities except mail order sale, which increased 24% during the year. The main reason for the increase in the mail order sale was the low reference base of the previous year. The mail order sale does not significantly influence the retail sales of goods of retail trade enterprises, because the share of this economic activity is very small, it was 2% in August 2008. The retail sales of stores selling household goods and appliances, hardware and building materials decreased most (15%) as compared to the previous year.

Compared to July 2008, the retail sales in retail trade enterprises decreased 4% in constant prices.

In August the revenues from sales of retail trade enterprises were 5.6 billion kroons, out of which the retail sales of goods accounted for 85%. Compared to August 2007, the revenues from sales increased 1% in current prices. Compared to the previous month, this indicator decreased 4%.

Retail sales volume index of retail trade enterprises and its trend,
January 2000 – August 2008 (corresponding month of the previous year = 100)