Retail turnover almost 2 percent up in October
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, retail turnover in October was 0.2 percent higher than in the same month last year.
Turnover non-food sector down by over 2 percent
For the first time since December 2016, both turnover and volume of sales in the non-food sector were down year-on-year. Turnover in the non-food sector fell by over 2 percent in October. The volume of sales (adjusted for price changes) was nearly 2 percent down year-on-year.
Shops selling clothing, footwear and leather products saw a substantial turnover decrease, whereas in September they achieved the largest turnover increase within the non-food sector. This was mainly related to weather conditions. Last year, September was relatively mild and dry, whereas this year it was relatively cool and wet. Consequently, consumers bought more clothes and shoes in the month of September as opposed to last year, when (some of) these purchases were postponed to October because of the mild weather.
Turnover generated by shops selling consumer electronics and recreational goods also decreased. On the other hand, turnover was up at shops selling furniture, household articles, personal care products, DIY products, kitchens and flooring.
4 percent higher turnover for food sector
Shops selling food, beverages and tobacco achieved 4 percent turnover growth in October, volume of sales increased by over 1 percent. Supermarkets saw higher turnover growth than specialist shops. Furthermore, volume of sales by supermarkets was up year-on-year, but remained the same for specialist shops.
| September 2017 | October 2017 | |
|---|---|---|
| Total food | 2 | 4 |
| Supermarkets | 2.2 | 4.2 |
| Specialised shops selling food | 1 | 3.1 |
| Total non-food | 7.2 | -2.3 |
| DIY shops, kitchens, floors | 5.5 | 4.1 |
| Furniture, household articles | 8.8 | 3.9 |
| Drug stores, perfume shops | 5.7 | 1.6 |
| Recreation goods | -1.3 | -4.2 |
| Consumer electronics | 0.6 | -5.3 |
| Clothing | 10.9 | -10.9 |
| Footwear and leather goods | 20.6 | -13.5 |
Online shops realise almost 15 percent turnover growth
In October, online shops saw their turnover go up by almost 15 percent year-on-year. Web shops recorded a turnover increase of over 17 percent; their core activity is selling goods and services over the Internet. Multi-channel retailers (retailers selling goods and services over the Internet as a side activity) achieved over 11 percent higher turnover in online sales.
Sources
- StatLine - Retail trade; turnover change
- StatLine - Retail trade; turnover change internet sales
Related items
- Dossier - Business Cycle