In June retail sales remained in decline

Retail sales have been declining during the whole year in comparison with the respective month of the previous year. In January retail sales decreased 12%, in February 11%, in March and April 9% and in May 5% compared to the respective months a year ago.

In June, the retail sales of goods of retail trade enterprises were 4.8 billion kroons (309 million euros). Compared to June 2009, the retail sales of goods decreased in the majority of economic activities except in the stores specialised in the retail sales of food, beverages and tobacco, in the stores selling pharmaceutical goods and cosmetics and in the stores of second-hand goods. The low reference base in 2009 contributed to the sales growth of the stores specialised in the retail sales of food, beverages and tobacco. However, the sales increase of the stores in this economic activity does not significantly influence the retail sales of goods, because the share of this economic activity is very small — 3% in June of this year. In June, the decrease in the retail sales of goods was most influenced by the stores selling manufactured goods, where the retail sales decreased by 8% compared to June 2009. Retail sales decreased the most i.e. 14% in the stores selling household goods and appliances, hardware and building materials.

Retail sales in grocery stores have been rather stable during the recent months. In June compared to June of the previous year, the retail sales of these stores decreased 3%.

Compared to the previous month, the retail sales of goods in retail trade enterprises increased 2% at constant prices. But according to the seasonally and working-day adjusted data, retail sales remained at the same level compared to the previous month.

In June, the revenues from sales of retail trade enterprises were 5.9 billion kroons (380 million euros), of which retail sales of goods accounted for 81%. Compared to June of the previous year, the revenues from sales stayed at the same level at current prices. But compared to the previous month, this indicator increased one percent.

Retail sales volume index of retail trade enterprises and its trend, January 2002 – June 2010 (2005 = 100)