In November, the turnover growth of retail trade enterprises accelerated

In November 2018, the turnover of retail trade enterprises was 604 million euros.

The turnover of stores selling manufactured goods increased 10% compared November 2017. Turnover increased in most economic activities, except in stores selling second-hand goods and non-store retail sale (stalls, markets, direct sale), where it remained on the level of the previous year. Turnover increased the most in other specialised stores, such as stores selling predominantly computers and their accessories, books, sports equipment, games, toys, etc., with sales increasing 15% in a year. A higher than average increase in turnover occurred also in pharmacies and stores selling cosmetics (11% growth) and in stores selling household goods and appliances, hardware and building materials (11% growth).

The turnover of grocery stores increased 3% compared to November 2017. The turnover increase of these stores was partly influenced by the low reference base of the previous year and a deceleration in the price increase of food products.

The turnover of enterprises engaged in retail sales of automotive fuel decreased 3% compared to November 2017.

Compared to October 2018, in November, the turnover of retail trade enterprises decreased 1%. According to the seasonally and working-day adjusted data, however, turnover increased 2% compared to the previous month. In the eleven months of 2018 (January–November), 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 three 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.