Retail turnover 3.5 percent up in May

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© Hollandse Hoogte
Statistics Netherlands (CBS) reports that the Dutch retail sector achieved a 3.5 percent turnover growth in May relative to May 2016. The volume of sales increased by 3 percent. Turnover results improved in the food as well as the non-food sector. Online sales soared by nearly 24 percent.

Retail turnover data have been adjusted for changes in the shopping-day pattern. Retail sales tend to vary from one day to the next. If the shopping-day pattern is not taken into account, May’s retail turnover was nearly 6 percent higher than in the same month last year.

Turnover growth non-food sector nearly 3 percent

Turnover in the non-food sector rose by nearly 3 percent in May. Sales (turnover adjusted for price changes) were nearly 4 percent up on a yearly basis.

Shops selling DIY products, kitchens and floor coverings achieved turnover growth for the eleventh month in a row. Turnover generated by furniture shops and household appliances shops grew for the eighth consecutive month. Shops selling footwear, leather products and chemist shops and perfume shops also reported turnover growth. The sales volume realised by clothing shops was up from May 2016, but turnover remained the same.

After two months of turnover growth, recreational retailers faced loss of turnover in May. Consumer electronics shops sold more products, but turnover was marginally down from the same month last year.

Nearly 2 percent turnover growth for food sector

Food, beverages and tobacco shops generated a turnover growth by nearly 2 percent in May, mainly due to higher consumer prices, because the volume of sales was the same as in May 2016. Turnover realised by supermarkets increased more than 2 percent, while specialist shops recorded a negative growth rate of 1 percent compared to the same month last year.

Turnover non-food sector (adjusted for shopping-days)
 April-17May-17
Total food3.61.8
Supermarkets3.92.3
Specialised shops selling food1.5-1
Total non-food3.92.6
DIY shops, kitchens, floors5.43.9
Furniture, household articles4.73.4
Drug stores, perfume shops4.32.7
Footwear and leather goods 0.51.9
Clothing30
Consumer electronics-5.4-0.5
Recreation goods1.8-1

Online shops realise nearly 24 percent turnover growth

Online shops saw turnover grow by approximately 24 percent in May. Web shops recorded a turnover surge by nearly 22 percent; their core activity is selling goods and services over the internet. Multi-channelers (retailers selling goods and services over the Internet and in the traditional manner) realised a turnover growth of more than 25 percent.