At the beginning of the year retail sales accelerated

Compared to the same month of the previous year, retail sales took an upturn in February 2011 and showed a stable growth within 2 to 6% till the end of the year. This January, the growth in retail sales accelerated, which was influenced by the low reference base in January of the previous year as well as the establishment of new retail trade enterprises.

In January 2012, the retail sales of goods of retail trade enterprises were 316.6 million euros. The increase in retail sales of goods was mostly influenced by the stores selling manufactured goods, where retail sales increased 22% compared to January 2011. The sales increased in all economic activities. The retail sales in stores selling textiles, clothing and footwear increased the most, with their retail sales growing 29% during the year. The growth in the retail sales of these stores was influenced by the lower reference base of the previous year and by the discount sales campaigns that took place in January. Other specialized stores, such as stores selling computers and their accessories, photography supplies, books, sports equipment, games and toys, were also successful. Compared to January 2011, retail sales in these stores increased 28%. The sales in non-specialized stores selling predominantly industrial goods and stores selling household goods, appliances, hardware and building materials also slightly recovered – their retail sales increased 18% and 17%, respectively, compared to January 2011.

The retail sales in grocery stores increased 11% compared to January of the previous year. The growth in the retail sales of grocery stores was influenced by the very low reference base of the previous year and by deceleration in the price increase of food products. At the beginning of 2011 the annual price increase of food products was 11–13%, whereas in the last three months it has stayed within the stable 4%.

Compared to the previous month, the retail sales in retail trade enterprises decreased by a fifth at constant prices. This is a usual fall following the Christmas-time and end-of-year sales. According to the seasonally and working-day adjusted data, retail sales increased 2% compared to December 2011.

In January the revenues from sales of retail trade enterprises were 389.2 million euros, out of which retail sales of goods accounted for 81%. Compared to January 2011, the revenues from sales increased by a fifth at current prices. Compared to the previous month, this indicator decreased almost by a fifth (18%).

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