Retail sales growth continued also in April

Compared to the same month of the previous year, the retail sales of retail trade enterprises started to grow again in autumn 2010, after two and a half years’ decline. In January this year the retail sales slightly fell but in February it turned to a rise again and the growth continued also in March and April.

In April, the retail sales of goods of retail trade enterprises were 315 million euros (about 5 billion kroons). The increase in retail sales of goods was mostly influenced by the stores selling manufactured goods, where the retail sales increased by a tenth compared to April 2010. The sales increased in most economic activities. Only the retail sales in pharmaceutical goods and cosmetics were smaller than in April of the previous year. With regard to this economic activity, one of the reasons for the fall in the sales was also higher reference base of the previous year. In April, the retail sales in non-specialized stores with industrial goods predominating increased the most, where the retail sales increased 18% during the year. Stores selling household goods and appliances, hardware and building materials and other specialized stores were also successful. In these stores the retail sales increased 13% and 12%, respectively. The retail sales in stores selling textiles, clothing, footwear and leather goods that had been in fall since the beginning of the year, turned to a rise again in April, growing 6% compared to April of the previous year.

The retail sales in grocery stores also slightly recovered in April and turned from decrease to increase. The retail sales of these stores increased 1% compared to April 2010. The growth in retail sales of these stores was partly influenced by the low reference base in April of the previous year. At the same time the price increase of food products is still rapid.

Compared to the previous month, the retail sales in retail trade enterprises increased 3% at constant prices. According to the seasonally and working-day adjusted data the retail sales increased by 1.5%. During the four months of 2011 (January-April), the retail sales in retail trade enterprises increased 3% at constant prices compared to the corresponding period of the previous year.

In April the revenues from sales of retail trade enterprises were 382 million euros (about 6 billion kroons), out of which the retail sales of goods accounted for 82%. Compared to April 2010, the revenues from sales increased 10% at current prices. Compared to the previous month, this indicator increased 2%.

Retail sales volume index of retail trade enterprises and its trend, January 2002 – April 2011 (2005 = 100)