The growth in retail sales continued also in September
According to Statistics Estonia, in September 2012 compared to September of the previous year, the retail sales of goods of retail trade enterprises increased 7% at constant prices. Since March this year, the retail sales growth remained within 6 to 9% compared to the same month of the previous year.
In September 2012, the retail sales of goods of retail trade enterprises were 364.9 million euros. The retail sales in stores selling manufactured goods increased 12% compared to September 2011. The sales increased in all economic activities. The retail sales of second-hand goods in stores increased the most (23% growth), but mainly due to a very low reference base of the previous year. The sales increase in these stores does not significantly influence the retail sales of goods of retail trade enterprises, because the share of this economic activity is very small – 1% in September 2012. A higher than average increase occurred in September in retail sales via mail order or the Internet (17% growth), in the retail sales of pharmaceutical goods and cosmetics (16% growth), in the sales of other specialized stores, such as stores selling computers and their accessories, photography supplies, books, sports equipment, games and toys, etc. (15% growth), stores selling textiles, clothing and footwear (14% growth) and in retail sales of non-specialized stores selling predominantly industrial goods (13% growth). Compared with previous months the retail sales in stores selling household goods and appliances, hardware and building materials turned from the decrease to increase, showing a 3% increase compared to the same month of the previous year.
The retail sales in grocery stores increased 4% compared to September of the previous year, but compared with previous months the growth in retail sales slightly decelerated, mainly due to a high reference base of September 2011.
Compared to the previous month, in September the retail sales in retail trade enterprises decreased 7% at constant prices. According to the seasonally and working-day adjusted data, the retail sales increased one percent compared to the previous month. During the nine months of 2012 (January–September), the retail sales in retail trade enterprises increased 8% at constant prices compared to the corresponding period of the previous year.
In September the revenues from sales of retail trade enterprises were 461.9 million euros, out of which the retail sales of goods accounted for about 80%. Compared to September 2011, the revenues from sales increased by 13% at current prices. Compared to the previous month, this indicator decreased by 5%.
Retail sales volume index of retail trade enterprises and its trend, January 2002 – September 2012 (2005 = 100)
