Retail sales grew also in July

In July, the retail sales of goods of retail trade enterprises were almost 354 million euros. The increase in retail sales of goods was mostly influenced by the stores selling manufactured goods, where the retail sales increased by a tenth compared to July 2010. The sales increased in most economic activities. Only the retail sales of pharmaceutical goods and cosmetics were smaller than in July of the previous year. With regard to this economic activity, one of the reasons for the fall in the sales was also higher reference base of the previous year. In July, the retail sales in stores selling household goods and appliances, hardware and building materials increased the most, where the retail sales grew almost by a fifth during the year. The retail sales in non-specialized stores with industrial goods predominating were also successful. In these stores the retail sales increased 14%. The growth of retail sales was slightly smaller in other specialized stores and stores selling textiles, clothing and footwear, where the retail sales increased 8% and 4%, respectively, compared to July 2010.

The retail sales in grocery stores which remarkably recovered in June turned into fall again in July. If in June the retail sales of these stores increased 3%, then in July the retail sales of these stores decreased 1% compared to the same month a year ago. The decrease in retail sales of grocery stores was partly influenced by the high reference base in July of the previous year and price increase higher than the average.

Compared to the previous month, the retail sales in retail trade enterprises increased 2% at constant prices. According to the seasonally and working-day adjusted data the retail sales increased 1%. During the seven months of 2011 (January-July), the retail sales in retail trade enterprises increased 3% at constant prices compared to the corresponding period of the previous year.

In July the revenues from sales of retail trade enterprises were 437 million euros, out of which retail sales of goods accounted for 81%. Compared to July of 2010, the revenues from sales increased 12% at current prices. Compared to the previous month, this indicator increased 3%.

Retail sales volume index of retail trade enterprises and its trend, January 2002 – July 2011 (2005 = 100)