In March, the turnover growth of retail trade enterprises decelerated slightly
According to Statistics Estonia, in March 2018, compared to March of the previous year, the turnover of retail trade enterprises increased 1% at constant prices. While in February, the turnover increased 3% compared to the same month of the previous year, the growth decelerated slightly in March.
In March 2018, the turnover of retail trade enterprises was 565.6 million euros.
The turnover growth in stores selling manufactured goods slowed down in March. While in February, the turnover of those stores increased 7% compared to the same month of the previous year, in March, the sales remained on the level of the previous year. Turnover increased in four and decreased in three economic activities. Compared to March of the previous year, turnover increased in stores selling via mail order or the internet (13% growth), in pharmacies and stores selling cosmetics (9% growth), in other non-specialised stores selling predominantly manufactured goods (e.g. department stores) (6% growth) and in stores selling textiles, clothing and footwear (2% growth). Turnover decreased compared to March of the previous year in stores selling second-hand goods and in non-store retail sale (stalls, markets, direct sale), in other specialised stores, such as stores selling predominantly computers and their accessories, books, sports equipment, games, toys, etc. and in stores selling household goods and appliances, hardware and building materials.
The turnover of grocery stores, which showed a small fall in the previous months, turned upwards again in March and increased 1% compared to March of the previous year.
The turnover of enterprises engaged in retail sales of automotive fuel increased 5% compared to March of the previous year.
Compared to the previous month, in March, the turnover of retail trade enterprises increased 14%. According to the seasonally and working-day adjusted data, the growth was 1%. In the three months of 2018 (January–March), the turnover of retail trade enterprises increased 1% compared to the corresponding period of the previous year.
The statistics are based on the VAT declaration data of the Estonian Tax and Customs Board. Statistics Estonia published the monthly summary in four working days. For the statistical activity “Economic indicators of trade enterprises”, the main representative of public interest is the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Communications, commissioned by whom Statistics Estonia performs this statistical activity.