At the beginning of the year the deceleration of the decrease in retail sales continued

In January, the retail sales of goods of retail trade enterprises were 4 billion kroons. Compared to January 2009, the retail sales of goods decreased in most economic activities, except the retail sales of food, beverages and tobacco in specialized stores and the retail sales of pharmaceutical goods and cosmetics. The low reference base in 2009 contributed to the sales growth of the retail sales of these stores. The decrease in retail sales of goods was most influenced by the stores selling manufactured goods, where the retail sales decreased by 15% compared to January 2009. The decrease in stores selling manufactured goods has significantly slowed down compared to recent months. Retail sales have remarkably recovered in other specialized stores, such as stores selling computers and their accessories, photography supplies, books, sports equipment, games and toys, etc. In these stores the retail sales of goods decreased by a fifth during the year. In December, the decrease was still 35%. The decrease in non-specialized stores with industrial goods predominating and stores selling household goods and appliances, hardware and building materials slowed down to some extent.

The slowdown in retail sales of food that had started in December last year continued also in January this year. Compared to January of the previous year, the retail sales in these stores decreased 6%.

Compared to the previous month, the retail sales in retail trade enterprises decreased 19% in constant prices. This is a usual fall following the Christmas time and end-of-year sales. But according to the seasonally and working-day adjusted data the retail sales increased by 3% compared to the previous month.

In January the revenues from sales of retail trade enterprises were 4.9 billion kroons, out of which the retail sales of goods accounted for about 85%. Compared to January 2009, the revenues from sales decreased 7% at current prices. Compared to the previous month, this indicator decreased 16%.

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