Turnover of retail trade enterprises continued to grow

In February 2019, the turnover of retail trade enterprises was 527.5 million euros.

The turnover of stores selling manufactured goods increased by 6% compared to February 2018. The turnover increased in five and decreased in one economic activity. In one economic activity, sales remained at the level of the previous year. Turnover increased the most in stores selling textiles, clothing and footwear, with sales increasing 13% year-on-year. Turnover increased also in stores selling household goods and appliances, hardware and building materials (10% growth); in other non-specialised stores, e.g. department stores, which sell predominantly manufactured goods (9% growth); in other specialised stores, such as stores selling predominantly computers and their accessories, books, sports equipment, games, toys etc. (6% growth), in stores selling second-hand goods and in non-store retail sale (stalls, markets, direct sale) (6% growth). The turnover in stores selling via mail order or the internet decreased compared to February of the previous year. The turnover of pharmacies and stores selling cosmetics remained at the same level as in February of the previous year.

The turnover of grocery stores increased by 3% and the turnover of enterprises engaged in the retail sales of automotive fuel by 8% compared to February 2018.

Compared to January, in February, the turnover of retail trade enterprises decreased by 6%. According to the seasonally and working-day adjusted data, the turnover increased by 1% compared to the previous month.

The statistics are based on the VAT declaration data of the Estonian Tax and Customs Board. Statistics Estonia published the monthly summary in four 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.