In September the decrease in stores selling manufactured goods affected most the retail sales
According to Statistics Estonia, the retail sales of goods of retail trade enterprises decreased in September 2009 compared to August this year as well as compared to September of the previous year. The decrease in retail sales was most influenced by stores selling manufactured goods, where the decrease in sales slightly accelerated compared to the previous months.
In September, the retail sales of goods of retail trade enterprises were 4.3 billion kroons, which was 17% smaller at constant prices compared to September of the previous year. The decrease in retail sales of goods was most influenced by the stores selling manufactured goods, which gave over a third of the total retail sales of goods. If in July and August the retail sales in stores selling manufactured goods decreased 25% during the year, then in September the decrease was 28%. The retail sales in other specialized stores, such as stores selling computers and their accessories, photography supplies, books, sports equipment, games and toys, etc., decreased the most or 38%. The retail sales in stores selling textiles, clothing, footwear and leather goods decreased by about one third during the year, which was the greatest decrease in 2009 as compared to the previous year. The decrease in stores selling household goods and appliances, hardware and building materials slowed down to some extent. The retail sales of these stores decreased 23% compared to September of the previous year. The retail sales in grocery stores have been rather stable during the recent months. In these stores, the retail sales decreased 9% compared to September of the previous year.
Compared to the previous month, the retail sales of goods in retail trade enterprises decreased 2% at constant prices according to the seasonally and working-day adjusted data. During the last three months compared to the previous month, the decline in retail sales has stayed stable around 2%.
In September the revenues from sales of retail trade enterprises were 5.2 billion kroons, out of which retail sales of goods accounted for about 85%. Compared to September of the previous year, the revenues from sales decreased 23% at current prices. Compared to the previous month, this indicator decreased 7%.
Retail sales volume index of retail trade enterprises and its trend,
January 2002 – September 2009 (corresponding month of previous year =100)
