In September the retail sales turned from decrease to increase

In September, the retail sales of goods of retail trade enterprises were 4.5 billion kroons (288 million euros). Compared to September 2009, the retail sales of stores selling manufactured goods recovered significantly. It turned from decrease to increase and grew by 4%. The retail sales of other specialized stores, such as stores selling computers and their accessories, photography supplies, books, sports equipment, games and toys, etc., recovered remarkably. In those stores the retail sales turned from decrease to increase after 2 years of decline, growing 11% compared to September 2009. The sales in stores selling household goods and appliances, hardware and building materials also slightly recovered, but the retail sales of these stores could not gain growth yet in yearly comparison — the retail sales in these stores fell 7% compared to September 2009. Compared to September of the previous year, the retail sales of goods increased also in the retail sales in non-specialized stores with industrial goods predominating (17%), the retail sales of second-hand goods in stores (16%), the retail sales in stores selling textiles, clothing, footwear and leather goods (10%) and the retail sales of pharmaceutical goods and cosmetics (7%).

The retail sales in grocery stores stayed at the same level compared to the September of the previous year. The growth in sales volume in these stores was retarded by price increase of food products that had accelerated in September.

Compared to the previous month, the retail sales in retail trade enterprises decreased by 8% at constant prices. According to the seasonally and working-day adjusted data the retail sales decreased by 1%. During the nine months of 2010 (January-September), the retail sales in retail trade enterprises decreased 6% at constant prices compared to the corresponding period of the previous year.

In September the revenues from sales of retail trade enterprises were 5.6 billion kroons (360 million euros), out of which retail sales of goods accounted for 80%. Compared to September of the previous year, the revenues from sales increased 8% at current prices. Compared to the previous month, this indicator decreased 6%.

Retail sales volume index of retail trade enterprises and its trend, January 2002 – September 2010 (2005 =100)