In May the decrease in retail sales slowed down

In January the retail sales of goods decreased 12% compared to the same month a year ago, in February 11% and in March and April 9%.

In May, the retail sales of goods of retail trade enterprises were 4.7 billion kroons. The retail sales of goods were most influenced by the stores selling manufactured goods, where the decrease slowed down significantly. Compared to May 2009, the retail sales of stores selling manufactured goods decreased 6%. At the beginning of the year, the decrease was still 17%. The decrease in retail sales slowed down in most economic activities if compared to the same month of the previous year. Compared to May of the previous year, the retail sales of goods increased in four economic activities: the retail sales of food, beverages and tobacco in specialized stores, the retail sales of second-hand goods in stores, the retail sales in stores selling textiles, clothing, footwear and leather goods and in stores selling pharmaceutical goods and cosmetics. The very low reference base in 2009 contributed to the sales growth of the retail sales of foods, beverages and tobacco in specialized stores. At the same time the sales increase in these stores does not significantly influence the retail sales of goods of retail trade enterprises, because the share of this economic activity is very small — 3% in May 2010.

The decrease in grocery stores which slightly accelerated in April slowed down again in May. In January and February the retail sales of these stores decreased 6% compared to the same month of the previous year, in March 4% and in April again 6%. In May the retail sales in grocery stores decreased 3% compared to May of the previous year.

Compared to the previous month, the retail sales in retail trade enterprises increased by 7% at constant prices. According to the seasonally and working-day adjusted data the retail sales increased by 1%. In grocery stores the retail sales of goods stayed at the same level compared to the previous month, in stores selling manufactured goods the retail sales increased 2%.

In May the revenues from sales of retail trade enterprises were 5.8 billion kroons, out of which retail sales of goods accounted for 81%. Compared to May of the previous year, the revenues from sale increased by 3% at current prices. Compared to the previous month, this indicator increased 8%.

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