In June the decrease in retail sales slowed down

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 this February, decreasing 19% during the year. From March till May, retail sales decreased 14–16% compared to the same time a year ago. In June the decrease in retail sales slowed down to some extent.
In June, decrease in the retail sales of goods was mostly influenced by the stores selling manufactured goods, where retail sales decreased 16% compared to June 2008. The decrease in stores selling manufactured goods has essentially slowed down compared to recent months. Retail sales have remarkably recovered in stores selling household goods and appliances, hardware and building materials. In June the retail sales of these stores decreased 11% compared to the same time a year ago. In May, the decrease was still 25%.

Retail sales in grocery stores decreased 8% compared to June of the previous year. Although the prices in grocery stores have fallen a bit, the sales volumes have not notably increased. Consumers are continuously hesitant about the future and restrict their expenditure on food ever more due to that.

Compared to the previous month, the retail sales of goods in retail trade enterprises increased 5% at constant prices. The retail sales in stores selling manufactured goods increased 5% and in grocery stores 4%.

In June the revenues from sales of retail trade enterprises were almost 6 billion kroons, out of which retail sales of goods accounted for 85%. Compared to June of the previous year, the revenues from sales decreased 16% at current prices. Compared to the previous month, this indicator increased 5%.

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