Retail turnover 1 percent up

Retail turnover was 1 percent up in December 2011 from December 2010. Prices of retail commodities were 2.5 percent higher. As a result, retail volume shrank by 1.5 percent.

Retail turnover is affected by the shopping-day pattern. The effect on December’s turnover can not be measured.

Shops in the non-food sector achieved nearly 1 percent more turnover. Clothes shops and household appliances shops generated substantially more turnover, whereas textile supermarkets and consumer electronics shops faced substantial turnover losses.

Food, drinks and tobacco shops recorded a marginal turnover growth relative to one year previously. Supermarket sales grew, but sales generated by specialist shops declined.

Petrol stations achieved a turnover growth by nearly 6 percent. Petrol prices were also nearly 6 percent higher. Apart from traditional shops and petrol stations, the retail sector also includes mail-order firms and online shops. Their turnover was marginally higher.

Retail turnover

More figures can be found in dossier Business cycle.