Stable growth in retail sales continued in May

According to Statistics Estonia, in May 2012 compared to May of the previous year, the retail sales of goods of retail trade enterprises increased 8% at constant prices.

Since March this year, the retail sales have increased steadily 6–7% compared to the same month of the previous year. In May the stable growth in retail sales continued.

In May 2012, the retail sales of goods of retail trade enterprises were 372.2 million euros. The retail sales in stores selling manufactured goods increased 8% compared to May 2011. The sales increased in most economic activities. Only the retail sales via mail order houses or via Internet stayed at the same level compared to the previous year. The retail sales of pharmaceutical goods and cosmetics increased the most, where the retail sales grew 13% during the year. The growth in retail sales of these stores was influenced by the lower reference base of the previous year. The sales increased 12% in non-specialized stores selling predominantly industrial goods and stores selling textiles, clothing and footwear.

The retail sales in grocery stores increased 8% compared to May of the previous year. The growth in retail sales of these stores was influenced by the deceleration in the price increase of food products. If in May 2011 the annual price increase of food products was 12%, then in May this year 2%.

Compared to the previous month, in May the retail sales in retail trade enterprises increased 7% at constant prices. According to the seasonally and working-day adjusted data the retail sales stayed at the same level compared to the previous month. During the five months of 2012 (January–May), the retail sales in retail trade enterprises increased 9% at constant prices compared to the corresponding period of the previous year.

In May the revenues from sales of retail trade enterprises were 472.6 million euros, out of which the retail sales of goods accounted for about 80%. Compared to May 2011, the revenues from sales increased by 15% at current prices. Compared to the previous month, this indicator increased 9%.

Retail sales volume index of retail trade enterprises and its trend, January 2002 – May 2012 (2005 = 100)

For further information:

Jaanika Tiigiste
Leading Statistician
Services Statistics Service
Statistics Estonia
Tel +372 625 9257

More detailed data have been published in the Statistical Database (retail sale volume indices and economic indicators of internal trade).

As of 2012 Statistics Estonia uses the Estonian Tax and Customs Board’s data on enterprises with one employee for the preparation of monthly retail trade statistics.