In November, the growth in retail sales decelerated to some extent

In November 2015, the retail sales of goods of retail trade enterprises were 417.7 million euros, which was 318 euros per inhabitant.

The retail sales of stores selling manufactured goods increased 11% compared to November 2014. Sales increased in most economic activities. Only the retail sales in stores selling household goods and appliances, hardware and building materials were 2% smaller than in November of the previous year and the retail sales in stores selling textiles, clothing and footwear stayed at the same level as in November 2014. Sales increased the most (37%) in other specialised stores, such as stores selling computers and their accessories, stationery, books, sports equipment, games and toys etc. A higher than average increase in retail sales occurred in retail sales via mail order or the Internet (30% growth) and in stores selling second-hand goods and in non-store retail sale (stalls, markets, direct sale) (26% growth). In November, the retail sales increased also in non-specialised stores selling predominantly industrial goods (i.e. department stores) (7% growth) and in stores selling pharmaceutical goods and cosmetics (5% growth).

In grocery stores, the retail sales growth decelerated significantly in November. While in October the retail sales of those stores increased 4% compared to the same month of the previous year, then in November the growth was 1%.

The retail sales of automotive fuel increased 8% at constant prices compared to November 2014.

In November compared to October 2015, the retail sales in retail trade enterprises decreased 6% at constant prices. According to the seasonally and working-day adjusted data, the decrease was 1%. During the eleven months (January–November) of 2015, the retail sales in retail trade enterprises increased 8% at constant prices compared to the corresponding period of 2014.

In November, the turnover of retail trade enterprises was 488.4 million euros, out of which the retail sales of goods accounted for about 86%. Compared to November 2014, the turnover increased by 2% at constant prices. Compared to the previous month, this indicator decreased 6%.

The statistics are based on the questionnaire “Turnover”, the deadline of which was 15.12.2015, and on the VAT declaration data from the Estonian Tax and Customs Board. Statistics Estonia published the monthly summary in 10 working days.

As of 2016, Statistics Estonia will start using only the VAT declaration data of the Estonian Tax and Customs Board and stop collecting data with the questionnaire “Turnover”. This will reduce the response burden of entrepreneurs and Statistics Estonia’s expenditure on data collection, and increase the use of administrative data. Due to the change in the data source, the monthly news release “Retail trade” will focus on the turnover of retail trade enterprises, instead of the retail sales of such enterprises (the first news release for 2016, “Retail trade, January 2016”, will be published on 02.03.2016). Statistics Estonia will continue publishing the retail sales indicator of retail trade enterprises on a quarterly and yearly basis.