Retail turnover more than 6 percent down

In November, Dutch retailers faced more than 6 percent loss of turnover compared to November 2008. Retail prices were nearly 1 percent higher than one year previously. Retail turnover is affected by the monthly number of shopping days and holidays. In November 2009, the pattern was less favourable than in November 2008. After an approximate correction for this effect, turnover was 4 percent down on one year previously.

Turnover generated in non-food shops dropped by more than 10 percent relative to November 2008. DIY, consumer electronics and clothes shops suffered most, but home furnishing and household articles shops also faced substantial loss of turnover. Only chemist shops performed relatively well within the non-food sector generating a marginally higher turnover than twelve months previously.

Turnover in the food sector dropped by 2.5 percent relative to one year previously. Sales achieved by supermarkets were 2 percent down and turnover in specialised food shops dropped by more than 5 percent.

Petrol stations faced more than 1 percent loss of turnover in November relative to twelve months previously, whereas turnover losses had been in the double digits in the preceding months. The decline was much more modest as a result of petrol price changes. After months of dramatic price reductions, petrol prices were substantially higher in November relative to one year previously. Approximately one tenth of total retail turnover is generated by petrol stations.

Retail turnover