Modest turnover growth for retail trade

In January 2008, retail trade turnover grew by 3.3 percent relative to one year previously. The increase is equally attributable to higher prices and the larger turnover volume. Adjusted for the shopping day pattern, turnover growth was approximately 2 percent in January, according to the latest figures released by Statistics Netherlands.

Retail turnover growth levels off

In January of this year, retail turnover growth was somewhat below the average level of 3.7 percent over 2007. January’s turnover growth was affected in a positive manner by the shopping day pattern, which was more favourable than in January 2007. After correction for this effect, a turnover growth of approximately 2 percent remains.

Substantial growth turnover supermarkets

Shops selling food, drinks and tobacco realised a turnover growth of 5.0 percent in the first month of 2008. Prices accounted for 2.8 percent of the turnover increase. Turnover volume also improved. Supermarkets were almost entirely accountable for the turnover growth in the food sector. They achieved a turnover growth of nearly 6 percent in January 2008 relative to the same month last year. Turnover of specialist shops for food, drinks and tobacco barely grew.

Modest turnover growth for non-food shops

With 2.4 percent, turnover growth in the non-food sector was marginal relative to twelve months ago. Within the non-food sector, household appliances shops made a remarkable recovery. In January, they achieved the best results of all branches in the retail sector. Last year, most of these shops faced loss of turnover.