In March, the turnover growth of retail trade enterprises accelerated

In March 2017, the turnover of retail trade enterprises was 545.7 million euros.

The turnover growth of stores selling manufactured goods accelerated in March. While in February the turnover of these stores increased 3% compared to the same month of the previous year, in March the growth was 11%. The turnover increased in five and decreased in two economic activities. Turnover increased the most in stores selling via mail order or the Internet, with sales increasing 33% in a year. Turnover increased also in stores selling household goods and appliances, hardware and building materials (16% growth), in stores selling second-hand goods and in non-store retail sale (stalls, markets, direct sale) (15% growth), in non-specialised stores selling predominantly manufactured goods (e.g. department stores) (12% growth) and in other specialised stores, such as stores selling computers and their accessories, books, sports equipment, games and toys, etc. (12% growth). The turnover of stores selling pharmaceutical goods and cosmetics and in stores selling textiles, clothing and footwear decreased compared to March of the previous year.

The turnover of grocery stores, which showed a small fall in the previous months, resumed growth in March and increased 2% compared to March of the previous year.
The turnover of enterprises engaging in the retail sales of automotive fuel increased 4% compared to March of the previous year.

Compared to the previous month, in March, the turnover of retail trade enterprises increased 16%. According to the seasonally and working-day adjusted data, the growth was 2%. In the three months of 2017 (January–March), the turnover of retail trade enterprises increased 3% compared to the corresponding period of the previous year.

The statistics are based on the VAT declaration data of the Estonian Tax and Customs Board. Statistics Estonia published the monthly summary in five working days. For the statistical activity “Economic indicators of trade enterprises”, the main representative of public interest is the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Communications, commissioned by whom Statistics Estonia performs this statistical activity.