In November, the increase in retail sales was mostly influenced by the grocery stores
According to Statistics Estonia, in November 2012 compared to November of the previous year, the retail sales of goods of retail trade enterprises increased 6% at constant prices. The increase in sales was mostly influenced by grocery stores, where the retail sales increased 5%.
In November 2012, the retail sales of goods of retail trade enterprises were 357.2 million euros. Due to a large share, grocery stores covered about half of the total increase of the sales of the retail trade enterprises. The growth in retail sales of grocery stores was partly influenced by deceleration in the price increase of food products in November. If in October the annual price increase of food products was 6.3%, then in November 5.8%.
The retail sales in stores selling manufactured goods increased 5% compared to November 2011. The sales increased in most economic activities. Only the retail sales via mail order or the Internet and retail sales of household goods and appliances, hardware and building materials were smaller than in November 2011. The growth in retail sales was the highest in stores selling pharmaceutical goods and cosmetics, where the retail sales increased 16% during the year. The growth in the retail sales of these stores was continually influenced by the lower reference base of the previous year.
The retail sales of automotive fuel increased 9% at constant prices compared to November 2011. Despite high prices, the retail sales of automotive fuel have remained within 8–9% from September to November.
In November compared to October 2012, the retail sales in retail trade enterprises decreased 4% at constant prices. According to the seasonally and working-day adjusted data, retail sales increased half a percent compared to the previous month. During the eleven months of 2012 (January–November), the retail sales in retail trade enterprises increased 7% at constant prices compared to the corresponding period of the previous year.
In November the revenues from sales of retail trade enterprises were 445.9 million euros, out of which the retail sales of goods accounted for 80%. Compared to November 2011, the revenues from sales increased by 9% at current prices. Compared to the previous month, this indicator decreased 6%.
Retail sales volume index of retail trade enterprises and its trend, January 2002 – November 2012 (2005 = 100)
