Modest turnover growth retail trade sector

• Sales non-food sector down despite extra shopping day
• Turnover growth for supermarkets

According to the most recent figures released by Statistics Netherlands, retail sales were 0.9 percent up in February 2012 from February 2011. Sales volume contracted by 1.7 percent, retail prices were 2.7 percent higher.

In leap year 2012, February had a Wednesday more than February 2011. Despite the extra shopping day, turnover and volume in the non-food sector declined by close to 4 and nearly 5 percent respectively. Turnover generated by home furnishing shops, consumer electronics shops and DIY shops declined, but chemist’s shops and household appliances shops improved their sales.

Food, drinks and tobacco shops generated a turnover growth by 6 percent. Supermarket sales were 7 percent up from one year previously. Supermarket prices rose by nearly 3 percent, volume grew by 4 percent. The growth was almost entirely due to the extra Wednesday in February.

Mail-order and online sales improved by approximately 9 percent in February 2012. Petrol stations had a 2 percent higher turnover.