Retail turnover up due to higher prices
- August’s turnover 2.5 percent higher
- Positive effect shopping days
Retail turnover in August 2011 was 2.5 percent up on the same month last year. The increase was entirely due to higher prices. Retail volume was marginally down on last year, according to the most recent figures released by Statistics Netherlands.
The shopping-day pattern was favourable in August relative to August 2010. After correction for the effect of shopping days, the level of retail turnover was on a par with one year previously. Retail volume shrank by nearly 3 percent.
Turnover generated by food sector grew by 4.5 percent. Volume growth was more than 2 percent. Prices also rose by 2 percent. Supermarkets accounted entirely for the turnover growth. Food specialist shops suffered loss of turnover relative to one year previously.
Shops in the non-food sector realised a turnover growth by nearly 1 percent caused by higher prices for non-food articles. Volume was down on one year previously. Most branches in the non-food sector saw turnover grow. Only DIY shops and consumer electronics shops recorded a negative turnover growth. Turnover generated by home furnishing shops was on a par with last year.
Mail-order firms and online shops reported a 4 percent higher turnover. With a turnover increase of approximately 6 percent, petrol stations also performed better.