Retail turnover 4 percent up in September

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 September 2021 was 4.7 percent higher than in the same month last year.

Turnover in non-food sector over 3 percent higher

In September, turnover in the non-food sector was up by 3.5 percent year-on-year. The volume of sales (adjusted for price changes) grew by 1.2 percent compared to the same month last year. Relative to September 2019, turnover of non-food shops was up by over 9 percent in September 2021.

The recovery in turnover of clothes shops and shops selling footwear and leather products continued in September 2021. These shops again achieved higher turnover than one year previously. However, their turnover in September 2021 was lower than in September 2019.

Shops selling DIY products, kitchens and flooring, shops selling personal care products, shops selling consumer electronics and white goods and those selling recreational goods recorded turnover growth, both relative to September 2020 and September 2019. Shops selling furniture and home furnishings achieved less turnover than twelve months previously, but more turnover than in September 2019.

Turnover of food shops unchanged

Shops selling food, beverages and tobacco achieved the same turnover in September 2021 as in the same month last year. However, the volume of sales was 0.4 percent lower. Turnover at specialist shops was up by 3.6 percent while turnover at supermarkets was down by 0.6 percent year-on-year. Relative to September 2019, the food retail sector realised over 5 percent higher turnover.

Online turnover 10 percent higher

In September, online turnover was up by 10 percent year-on-year. Web shops recorded a turnover increase of 10.8 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 9 percent higher turnover in online sales.

Online turnover of clothing and fashion items, food and personal care products, and other non-food products was higher in September 2021 than in the same month last year. However, online sales of consumer electronics were lower than in September 2020.