Retail turnover 2.5 percent up in third quarter

The latest figures published by Statistics Netherlands show that retail turnover grew 2.5 percent in the third quarter of 2007 relative to one year previously. Retail prices were on average 1.0 percent higher in the third quarter than one year ago. Turnover volume increased by 1.5 percent.

Retail turnover grows further

Turnover growth in the third quarter was marginally below the level of the previous quarter, mainly because the third quarter had fewer shopping days. After correction for shopping days, retail turnover growth is just over 3.5 percent, similar to the growth figure of the second quarter.

Higher turnover non-food shops

Turnover in the non-food sector increased 3.1 percent in the third quarter of 2007. Clothes shops did much better than twelve months ago. In the first two quarters of this year, clothes shops also achieved good results.

Marginal turnover increase food shops

Food, drinks and tobacco shops realised a modest turnover growth in the third quarter of 1.3 percent relative to the same quarter in 2006. Within the food sector, supermarkets saw their turnover rise compared to one year previously. Specialised shops in food, drinks and tobacco, on the other hand, faced a decline in turnover.

Unfavourable shopping day pattern affects turnover growth in September

In September 2007, retail turnover growth was 1.1 percent. Fewer shopping days have restrained turnover growth in September. After a rough correction for shopping days, turnover growth in September amounts to over 4 percent.