In October, turnover growth of retail trade enterprises continued

In October 2017, the turnover of retail trade enterprises was 572.1 million euros.

The turnover of stores selling manufactured goods increased 8% compared to October 2016. Turnover increased in most economic activities, except in non-specialized stores selling predominantly manufactured goods (e.g. department stores) where it stayed at the same level as in October of the previous year. Turnover increased the most in stores selling via mail order or the internet, with sales increasing 41% in a year. A higher than average increase in turnover occurred also in stores selling textiles, clothing and footwear (12%) and in stores selling household goods and appliances, hardware and building materials (12%).

The turnover of grocery stores decreased 4% compared to October 2016. The fall in turnover of these stores was affected by the continuing price increase of food products.

The turnover of enterprises engaged in the retail sale of automotive fuel, which showed a decline in recent months, resumed growth again in October, increasing 1% compared to October of the previous year. The turnover growth in these enterprises was influenced by the low reference base of October 2016 and deceleration in the price increase of automotive fuel.

Compared to the previous month, the turnover of retail trade enterprises increased 4% in October. According to the seasonally and working-day adjusted data, however, turnover stayed at the same level as in the previous month. In the ten months of 2017 (January–October), 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.