In April, the turnover growth of retail trade enterprises decelerated

In April 2017, the turnover of retail trade enterprises was 537.4 million euros.

The turnover growth of stores selling manufactured goods decelerated in April. While in March the turnover of these stores increased 10% compared to the same month of the previous year, in April the growth was 2%. The turnover increased in most economic activities, except for stores selling pharmaceutical goods and cosmetics, where the turnover was smaller than in April of the previous year. In non-specialized stores selling predominantly manufactured goods (e.g. department stores), turnover remained at the same level as in April 2016. Turnover increased the most in stores selling via mail order or the Internet, with sales increasing 22% year over year. A higher-than-average increase in turnover occurred also in stores selling second-hand goods and in non-store retail sale (stalls, markets, direct sale) (5% growth).

The turnover of grocery stores increased 2% compared to April 2016.

The turnover of enterprises engaged in the retail sale of automotive fuel, which grew in February and March, started declining again in April and decreased 4% compared to April of the previous year.

Compared to the previous month, in April, the turnover of retail trade enterprises decreased 1%. According to the seasonally and working-day adjusted data, turnover stayed at the same level compared to the previous month. In the four months of 2017 (January–April), the turnover of retail trade enterprises increased 2% 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.