Retail turnover almost up 2 percent up in January

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 January 2019 was 2.7 percent higher than in the same month last year.

Turnover growth non-food sector almost the same

Turnover in the non-food sector was down by 0.1 percent in January year-on-year. The volume of sales (adjusted for price changes) decreased by 1.3 percent.

Shops selling DIY products, kitchens and flooring, and shops selling furniture and household articles achieved turnover growth in January. Turnover of shops selling leather products remained virtually the same. Turnover of shops selling recreational goods, shops selling consumer electronics, shops selling personal care products and clothes shops declined.

1.5 percent turnover growth for food sector

Shops selling food, beverages and tobacco achieved 1.5 percent more turnover than in January 2018. The volume of sales increased by 0.9 percent. Supermarkets saw 1.9 percent turnover growth, while specialist shops saw their turnover decline by 1.8 percent.

Online shops realise almost 16 percent turnover growth

In January, online shops saw their turnover go up by 15.8 percent. Web shops recorded a turnover increase of 11.8 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 21.6 percent higher turnover in online sales.