The deceleration of the retail sales growth rate stopped in April
According to Statistics Estonia, in April 2012 compared to April of the previous year, the retail sales of goods of retail trade enterprises increased 6% at constant prices.
This January the retail sales increased 15% compared to the same month of the previous year. In February the retail sales growth rate slowed down slightly, but still achieved a significant 12% growth. In March the retail sales growth rate decelerated even more and the retail sales increased then 6% during the year. In April the deceleration of the retail sales growth rate stopped.
In April 2012, the retail sales of goods of retail trade enterprises were 347.5 million euros. The retail sales in stores selling manufactured goods increased 9% compared to April 2011. The sales increased in all economic activities. The retail sales of pharmaceutical goods and cosmetics increased the most, where the retail sales grew 16% during the year. The growth in retail sales of these stores was influenced by the lower reference base of the previous year. Other specialized stores, such as stores selling computers and their accessories, photography supplies, books, sports equipment, games and toys were also successful in April. Compared to April 2011, the retail sales in these stores increased 13%.
The retail sales in grocery stores increased 5% compared to April of the previous year. The growth in retail sales of these stores was influenced by the continuous deceleration in the price increase of food products. If in the last three months the annual price increase of food products was within 3–4%, then in April 1.4%.
Compared to the previous month, in April the retail sales in retail trade enterprises increased 2% at constant prices. According to the seasonally and working-day adjusted data the increase was 1%. During the four months of 2012 (January–April), the retail sales in retail trade enterprises increased almost by a tenth at constant prices compared to the corresponding period of the previous year.
In April the revenues from sales of retail trade enterprises were 431 million euros, out of which the retail sales of goods accounted for 81%. Compared to April 2011, the revenues from sales increased by 13% at current prices. Compared to the previous month, this indicator stayed at the same level.
Retail sales volume index of retail trade enterprises and its trend, January 2002 – April 2012 (2005 = 100)
