Retail sales grew also in October

In October, the retail sales of goods of retail trade enterprises were 337 million euros. The increase in retail sales of goods was mostly influenced by the stores selling manufactured goods, where the retail sales increased 8% compared to October 2010. The sales increased in most economic activities. Only the retail sales of pharmaceutical goods and cosmetics and the retail sales in stores selling textiles, clothing and footwear were smaller than in October of the previous year. With regard to those economic activities, one of the reasons for the fall in the sales was also higher reference base of the previous year. In October, the retail sales in stores selling household goods and appliances, hardware and building materials increased the most, where the retail sales grew 14% during the year. Non-specialized stores with industrial goods predominating and other specialized stores were also successful. Compared to October 2010, retail sales in these stores increased 11% and 10%, respectively.

The retail sales in grocery stores increased 2% compared to October of the previous year. The growth was mainly influenced by deceleration in the price increase of food products. If in June the food products’ annual price increase was 11.5%, in July and August both 10.8% and in September 9.3%, then in October the annual price increase was 6%.

Compared to the previous month, the retail sales in retail trade enterprises increased 4% at constant prices. According to the seasonally and working-day adjusted data the retail sales stayed at the same level compared to the previous month. During the ten months of 2011 (January-October), the retail sales in retail trade enterprises increased 4% at constant prices compared to the corresponding period of the previous year.

In October the revenues from sales of retail trade enterprises were 414 million euros, out of which retail sales of goods accounted for 81%. Compared to October 2010, the revenues from sales increased 10% at current prices. Compared to the previous month, this indicator increased 2%.

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