Retail turnover up by 3.5 percent in August

Statistics Netherlands (CBS) reports that retail turnover was 3.5 percent higher in August 2026, year on year. Sales volume was up by 2.7 percent. Turnover in the non-food sector (including retail not in shops) increased by 5.0 percent. Turnover in the food sector (shops selling food, beverages and tobacco) increased less strongly, by 0.9 percent. Meanwhile, online retail turnover rose by over 6 percent, year on year.

The figures for retail turnover have been adjusted to reflect the pattern of shopping days in August, because more is sold on certain days of the week than others. Without this adjustment, retail turnover in August would have been 2.5 percent higher than in August 2025.

Turnover in food sector up by nearly 1 percent

Turnover in shops selling food, beverages and tobacco rose by 0.9 percent in August, year on year. Sales volume (turnover adjusted for price changes) was 1.0 percent higher. Turnover in supermarkets rose by 1.0 percent, while in specialty shops it rose by 0.4 percent.

Turnover in non-food sector up by 5.0 percent

Turnover in the non-food sector (including non-shop retail) was up by 5.0 percent in August, year on year. Sales volume was up by 3.5 percent on August 2025.

Almost all the main subsectors recorded an increase in turnover. Shops selling home furnishings saw the largest increase in turnover of all the subsectors, at over 7 percent. Next came retailers selling recreational goods, which saw a turnover growth of almost 6 percent. Only shops selling footwear and leather goods recorded lower turnover than in August 2025.

Turnover of online retail up by over 6 percent

Turnover among online retailers was up by 6.2 percent in August, year on year. Online retailers (whose core activity is selling goods and services over the internet) recorded an increase in turnover of 7.0 percent. Online turnover growth for multi-channel retailers (retailers selling goods and services over the internet as a secondary activity) was less strong, at 4.8 percent.

In all subsectors, online turnover was up in August 2026, year on year. Shops selling food and personal care products recorded the largest increase, at almost 10 percent. Clothing and fashion retailers followed closely with a rise of over 6 percent. Turnover growth in shops selling other non-food items was the lowest, at 4.2 percent.