In February the stable decrease in retail sales remained

The slowdown of the decrease in retail sales, which had begun at the end of the previous year continued also in January this year, when the retail sales decreased 11% compared to the corresponding month of the previous year. In February the stable decline in retail sales remained, decreasing by a tenth. Last year the decrease in retail sales was the biggest in February — 19%.

In February, the retail sales of goods of retail trade enterprises were 3.8 billion kroons. The decrease in retail sales of goods was most influenced by the stores selling manufactured goods, where the retail sales decreased by 14% compared to February 2009. The retail sales of stores selling household goods and appliances, hardware and building materials decreased the most or 27%. The decrease in non-specialized stores with industrial goods predominating and retail sales of other specialized stores slowed down compared to the previous months, the retail sales in these stores decreased 12% during the year. The low reference base in 2009 contributed to the slowdown in the decrease of the retail sales in these stores.

The retail sales in grocery stores have been rather stable during the recent months. In these stores, the retail sales decreased 6% compared to February of the previous year.

Compared to the previous month, the retail sales in retail trade enterprises decreased by 5% in constant prices. According to the seasonally and working-day adjusted data the retail sales decreased by 1%.

In February the revenues from sales of retail trade enterprises were 4.6 billion kroons, out of which the retail sales of goods accounted for about 85%. The revenues from sales decreased in current prices compared to January this year as well as compared to February of the previous year by 5%.

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