Stable growth in retail sales continued also in September
According to Statistics Estonia, in September 2011 compared to September of the previous year the retail sales of goods of retail trade enterprises increased 4% at constant prices. Since February compared to the same month of the previous year, the retail sales have shown a stable growth.
In September, the retail sales of goods of retail trade enterprises were 323 million euros. The retail sales growth rate in stores selling manufactured goods slowed down significantly compared to the previous months. If during the last three months, the retail sales of those enterprises increased 7–2% during the year, then in September the growth was 6%. The sales increased in most economic activities. Only the retail sales of pharmaceutical goods and cosmetics were smaller than in September of the previous year. The growth in retail sales was highest in non-specialized stores with industrial goods predominating, where the retail sales increased 16% during the year. Retail sales in stores selling household goods and appliances, hardware and building materials increased 10% compared to September 2010 and in other specialized stores 7%, but the retail sales growth rate slowed down in these stores compared to previous months. Retail sales in stores selling textiles, clothing and footwear, which slightly decreased in the previous month, turned to increase again in September. The retail sales of these stores increased 3% compared to the same month of the previous year.
The retail sales in grocery stores remarkably recovered in September and increased 3% compared to September 2010. The growth in retail sales in these stores was influenced by school sales and a slight deceleration in the price increase of food products. If in June the food products’ annual price increase was 11.5%, in July and August both 10.8%, but in September 9.3%.
Compared to the previous month, the retail sales in retail trade enterprises decreased 8% 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 nine months of 2011 (January-September), the retail sales in retail trade enterprises increased 3.5% at constant prices compared to the corresponding period of the previous year.
In September the revenues from sales of retail trade enterprises were 405 million euros, out of which the retail sales of goods accounted for 80%. Compared to September 2010, the revenues from sales increased 11% at current prices. Compared to the previous month, this indicator decreased 7%.
Retail sales volume index of retail trade enterprises and its trend, January 2002 – September 2011 (2005 = 100)
