Stable growth in retail sales continued also in August
According to Statistics Estonia, in August 2012 compared to August of the previous year, the retail sales of goods of retail trade enterprises increased 7% at constant prices. The retail sales have shown a stable seven percent growth for the third month in succession compared to the same month of the previous year.
In August 2012, the retail sales of goods of retail trade enterprises were 391.8 million euros. The increase in sales was mostly influenced by grocery stores, where the retail sales increased 8% compared to August 2011. The growth in retail sales of these stores was partly influenced by the deceleration in the price increase of food products. If in August 2011 the annual price increase of food products was 11%, then in August this year 4%. Due to a large share, grocery stores covered half of the total increase of the sales of the retail trade enterprises.
The retail sales growth rate in stores selling manufactured goods slowed down slightly compared to the previous months. If in June, the retail sales of those stores increased 10% and in July 9% during the year, then in August the growth was 6%. The sales increased in most economic activities. Only the retail sales in stores selling household goods and appliances, hardware and building materials were 4% smaller than in August of the previous year. The fall in the retail sales of these stores was influenced by the high reference base of the previous year. In August, the retail sales of stores selling textiles, clothing and footwear increased the most, where the retail sales increased 15% compared to August of the previous year. A higher than average increase also occurred in the retail sales of pharmaceutical goods and cosmetics (14% growth), retail sales via mail order or the Internet (13% growth) and retail sales of non-specialized stores selling predominantly industrial goods (10% growth).
Compared to the previous month, in August the retail sales in retail trade enterprises decreased one percent at constant prices. According to the seasonally and working-day adjusted data the retail sales stayed at the same level compared to the previous month. During the eight months of 2012 (January–August), the retail sales in retail trade enterprises increased 8% at constant prices compared to the corresponding period of the previous year.
In August the revenues from sales of retail trade enterprises were 491.5 million euros, out of which the retail sales of goods accounted for 80%. Compared to August 2011, the revenues from sales increased by 11% 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 – August 2012 (2005 = 100)
