The turnover of retail trade enterprises declined by 8% last year
According to the preliminary data of Statistics Estonia, the total turnover of retail trade enterprises in 2023 was 10.5 billion euros. Compared with 2022, turnover decreased by 8% at constant prices.
Johanna Linda Pihlak, analyst at Statistics Estonia, said that, in 2023, turnover decreased in grocery stores, in stores selling manufactured goods as well as in enterprises engaged in the retail sale of automotive fuel. “The biggest decline – 11% – occurred in the turnover of stores selling manufactured goods. The turnover of enterprises engaged in the retail sale of automotive fuel decreased by 5% and the turnover of grocery stores by 4%,” added Pihlak.
The downtrend in retail trade turnover also continued in the last month of 2023. In December, the turnover of retail trade enterprises was 967 million euros, which is 5% less than in December 2022.
The turnover of stores selling manufactured goods fell by 7% compared with December 2022. Turnover decreased the most, by 14%, in other specialised stores selling predominantly computers and their accessories, books, sports equipment, games, toys, etc. A higher-than-average decline was also recorded in the turnover of stores selling second-hand goods and non-store retail sale (stalls and markets) (13%), and stores selling textiles, clothing and footwear (8%).
Compared with December 2022, the turnover of enterprises engaged in the retail sale of automotive fuel decreased by 10%, and the turnover of grocery stores remained at the same level.
Compared with November 2023, the turnover of retail trade enterprises grew by 11% in December, which was expected due to the Christmas and year-end sales.
The statistics are based on the VAT declaration data of the Estonian Tax and Customs Board. Statistics Estonia performs the statistical activity “Financial statistics of trade enterprises (monthly)” for the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Communications in order to determine how the Estonian economy is doing.
See also the internal trade section on our website.
More detailed data have been published in the statistical database.
When using Statistics Estonia’s data and graphs, please indicate the source.
For further information:
Helen Maria Raadik
Media Relations Manager
Marketing and Dissemination Department
Statistics Estonia
Tel +372 625 9181
press [at] stat.ee