Retail turnover up by 3 percent in February

The figures for retail turnover have been adjusted for calendar days in February, because more is sold on certain days of the week than on others. If no such adjustment is made, retail turnover in February 2024 was 5.0 percent higher than one year previously.

Turnover in non-food sector up by almost 4 percent

In February, turnover in the non-food sector was up by 3.9 percent year on year. Sales volume (turnover adjusted for price changes) was up by 4.6 percent from one year previously.

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

Turnover in food shops over 1 percent higher

Shops selling food, beverages and tobacco recorded a 1.4 percent higher turnover in February than one year previously. Sales volume was 0.5 percent lower. Turnover in supermarkets was up by 1.1 percent, and turnover in specialty shops was up by 3.8 percent.

Online turnover 5.3 percent higher

Online turnover was up by 5.3 percent year on year in February. Online retailers (whose core activity is selling goods and services over the internet) recorded an increase in turnover of 8.1 percent. Multi-channel retailers (retailers selling goods and services over the internet as a secondary activity) saw 0.9 percent higher turnover in their online sales.

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

With effect from the reporting month of January 2024, the base year for retail turnover has changed from 2015 to 2021. The old series (base year = 2015) can still be accessed in StatLine, but will no longer be updated.