In August the decrease in retail sales remained

The decrease in retail sales, which had begun in spring 2008 compared to the corresponding month of the previous year, fell to the lowest level in February this year, decreasing 19% during the year. From March till May, retail sales decreased 14–16% compared to the same period a year ago. The decrease in retail sales slowed down to some extent in June, when retail sales decreased 11% during the year. But the deceleration was brief and the decrease in retail sales accelerated again in July, reaching 16%. In August the decrease in retail sales remained and retail sales decreased also 16% during the year.

In August, the retail sales of goods of retail trade enterprises were 4.7 billion kroons. The decrease in retail sales of goods was most influenced by the stores selling manufactured goods, where retail sales decreased by a fourth compared to August 2008. The retail sales in non-specialized stores with industrial goods predominating decreased most or by one third. In spite of the slight upswing in July in stores selling textiles, clothing, footwear and leather goods, the sales in these stores continued to remain in downward trend in August. In these stores the retail sales of goods decreased 26% during the year.

Retail sales in grocery stores have been rather stable during the recent months. In these stores, the retail sales decreased 9% compared to August of the previous year.

From the beginning of the year, the retail sales decreased 1–2% at constant prices compared to the previous month according to the seasonally and working-day adjusted data. Also in August this year the retail sales decreased by 1% compared to the previous month.

In August the revenues from sales of retail trade enterprises were 5.6 billion kroons, out of which retail sales of goods accounted for about 85%. Compared to August of the previous year, the revenues from sales decreased 22% at current prices. Compared to the previous month, this indicator decreased 4%.

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