Retail trade generates more turnover

In June 2006, retailers generated over 6 percent more turnover than in the same month of 2005. Retail prices in June were up by almost 1 percent on twelve months earlier. The growth in turnover was positively affected by a difference in the shopping day patterns between June 2006 and June 2005. After a first correction for this effect, turnover was about 5 percent higher than in June 2005.

Under the influence of the particularly high turnover by supermarkets in June, turnover in the food sector rose by almost 7 percent compared to June 2005. Food prices increased by 1 percent.

Turnover in the non-food sector increased by over 6 percent. Prices of non-food products went up by just under 1 percent on June 2005. Furniture stores and retailers selling consumer electronics did particularly well in June, like in the preceding months.

In the first half of 2006, retail turnover increased by more than 6 percent compared to the same period in 2005. This signifies a strong recovery, after a three year period with declining sales. The non-food sector generated 8 percent more turnover in the first six months of 2006, while turnover in the food sector rose by 4 percent.

Volume changes in retail turnover are a first indication of volume changes in household consumption expenditure. About one third of total domestic consumption expenditure consists of goods purchased in retail stores.

Turnover in retail trade