Retail turnover over 4 percent up in December

Retail turnover data have been adjusted for the shopping-day pattern in December, as these may vary from one day to the next. If the shopping-day pattern is not taken into account, retail turnover in December 2023 was 1.9 percent higher than one year previously.

Turnover in non-food sector almost 3 percent up

In December, turnover in the non-food sector was up by 2.6 percent year on year. Sales volume (turnover adjusted for price changes) was up 1.2 percent from one year previously.

Chemists, clothes shops and shops selling footwear and leather products saw year-on-year turnover growth in December. However, shops selling furniture and home furnishings, shops selling DIY products, including kitchens, flooring, shops selling consumer electronics and white goods and those selling recreational goods recorded a decrease in turnover.

Turnover of food shops almost 5 percent up

Shops selling food, beverages and tobacco recorded a 4.6 percent higher turnover in December than one year previously. Sales volume was 0.4 percent higher. Turnover of supermarkets and specialty shops was up by 4.6 and 4.3 percent, respectively.

Online turnover 1.2 percent lower

In December, online turnover was down by 1.2 percent year on year. Web shops recorded a turnover increase of 1.3 percent; their core activity is selling goods and services over the internet. However, multi-channel retailers (retailers selling goods and services over the internet as a side activity) recorded 4.6 percent lower turnover in online sales.

Online turnover of food and personal care products, and of other non-food products was higher in December 2023 than it was one year previously, while that of consumer electronics, clothing and fashion items was lower.

Retail turnover almost 6 percent higher in 2023

In 2023, retail turnover, adjusted for shopping days, was 5.6 percent higher than one year previously. However, sales volume was 2.4 percent lower. The turnover of food shops grew by 7.7 percent, while non-food shops recorded 3.5 percent growth. Online turnover was 1.6 percent higher than it was in 2022.