Retail sales grew also in the last month of the year
According to Statistics Estonia, in December 2011 compared to the same month of the previous year the retail sales of goods of retail trade enterprises increased 5% at constant prices. Since February compared to the same month of the previous year, the retail sales have shown a stable growth.
In December, the retail sales of goods of retail trade enterprises were 389.1 million euros. The increase in sales was mostly influenced by grocery stores, where the retail sales increased 7% compared to December 2010. The growth in retail sales of grocery stores was partly influenced by continuous deceleration in the price increase of food products. If in October the food products’ annual price increase was 6% and in November 4.3%, then in December 3.6%. Due to a large share, grocery stores cover 55% of the total increase of the sales of the retail trade enterprises.
The retail sales in stores selling manufactured goods increased 6% compared to December 2010. The sales increased in most economic activities. The growth in retail sales was the highest in non-specialized stores with industrial goods predominating, where the retail sales increased 16% compared to December 2010. Stores selling textiles, clothing, footwear and leather goods (growth 9%) and stores selling household goods and appliances, hardware and building materials (growth 7%) were also successful.
Retail sales of automotive fuel decreased 3% at constant prices compared to December 2010. With regard to this economic activity, one of the reasons for the fall in the sales was price increase which was faster than the average.
In December compared to November 2011, the retail sales in retail trade enterprises increased by a fifth at constant prices. This is a usual rise in December, when Christmas marketing takes place. According to the seasonally and working-day adjusted data the retail sales increased 1%.
According to preliminary data the retail sales of retail trade enterprises were 3.9 billion euros in 2011, compared to 2010 the retail sales increased 4% at constant prices.
In December the revenues from sales of retail trade enterprises were 469.6 million euros, out of which the retail sales of goods accounted for 83%. Compared to December 2010, the revenues from sales increased 9% at current prices. Compared to the previous month, this indicator increased 16%.
Retail sales volume index of retail trade enterprises and its trend, January 2002 – December 2011 (2005 = 100)
