Despite restrictions, turnover grew in retail trade enterprises
According to Statistics Estonia, in March 2021, the turnover of retail trade enterprises was 657 million euros. Compared to March 2020, turnover increased by 4% at constant prices.
Jaanika Tiigiste, leading analyst at Statistics Estonia, said that despite the coronavirus-related restrictions that were re-introduced in March, retail trade enterprises recorded turnover growth. Among the stores selling manufactured goods, turnover fell in department stores, clothing and footwear stores, pharmacies and cosmetics stores, while internet shops had a considerable increase in sales, and turnover went up also in home goods stores,” added Tiigiste.
The turnover of stores selling manufactured goods increased by 6% compared to last year’s March. The biggest growth, of 70%, was recorded in stores selling via mail order or the internet. Turnover increased by 14% in stores selling household goods and appliances, hardware and building materials, and by 10% in stores selling second-hand goods and in non-store retail sale (stalls, markets, direct sale). Turnover decreased by 13% in pharmacies and stores selling cosmetics, by 9% in stores selling textiles, clothing and footwear, by 6% in other specialised stores selling predominantly computers and their accessories, books, sports equipment, games, toys, etc., and by 5% in other non-specialised stores selling predominantly manufactured goods (department stores).
Compared to March 2020, turnover increased by 2% in grocery stores and by 5% in enterprises engaged in the retail sale of automotive fuel.
In March compared to February, the turnover of retail trade enterprises increased by 10%. According to the seasonally and working-day adjusted data, turnover decreased by 1%.
In the first three months of 2021, the turnover of retail trade enterprises increased by 5% compared to the same period of the previous year.
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.
For further information:
Kadri Kütt
Media Relations Manager
Marketing and Dissemination Department
Statistics Estonia
Tel +372 625 9181