In May the retail sales were smaller than a year ago

The decrease in the retail sales was most influenced by the stores selling manufactured goods, where retail sales decreased 23% compared to May 2008. The greatest decrease was recorded in the retail sales of non-specialized stores and other specialized stores. The decrease in stores selling textiles, clothing, footwear and leather goods deepened compared to previous months. In these stores the retail sales decreased 23% compared to the previous year. The decrease in stores selling household goods and appliances, hardware and building materials slowed down to some extent. The retail sales of these stores decreased about one fourth during the year.

Compared to May 2008, the retail sales of goods decreased in most economic activities except the retail sale of second-hand goods in stores and other non-store retail sale, where the retail sales grew by a tenth. The growth in the retail sales of these stores does not significantly influence the retail sales of goods, because the share of this economic activity is very small, 1% in May 2009.

Consumers are continuously hesitant and restrict their daily expenditure. The consumer confidence indicator of the Estonian Institute of Economic Research has somewhat improved during the last months, but it has not brought along the increase in purchases. The retail sales in grocery stores decreased 9% compared to May of the previous year.

Compared with April, the retail sales in retail trade enterprises increased 3% at constant prices.

In May the revenues from sales of retail trade enterprises were 5.7 billion kroons, out of which the retail sales of goods accounted for 85%. Compared to May of the previous year, the revenues from sales decreased by a fifth at current prices. Compared to the previous month, this indicator increased 3%.

Retail sales volume index of retail trade enterprises and its trend, January 2002 – May 2009 (corresponding month of the previous year =100)