Stable growth in retail sales continued at the beginning of the year

In the last three months of 2012, the retail sales increased steadily 4–5% compared to the same month of the previous year. This January the stable growth continued.

In January 2013, the retail sales of goods of retail trade enterprises were 337.6 million euros, which was 262 euros per inhabitant. The retail sales in stores selling manufactured goods increased 7% compared to January 2012. The sales increased in most economic activities. Only the retail sales in non-specialized stores selling predominantly industrial goods (e.g. department stores) were 4% smaller than in January of the previous year and the retail sales via mail order or the Internet stayed at the same level compared to the previous year. In January, the retail sales of second-hand goods in stores and non-store retail sale increased the most, where the retail sales increased more than half (56%) compared to January of the previous year. The sales increase in these stores does not significantly influence the retail sales of goods of retail trade enterprises, because the share of this economic activity is very small – 1.7% in January 2013. In January, a higher than average increase occurred in the retail sales of pharmaceutical goods and cosmetics (growth 17%), in the retail sales of household goods and appliances, hardware and building materials (growth 9%) and in stores selling textiles, clothing and footwear (growth 5%).

The retail sales in grocery stores increased 1% compared to January 2012. Compared with previous months the growth in retail sales slightly decelerated, mainly due to a very high reference base of January 2012.

In January compared to the previous month, the retail sales in retail trade enterprises decreased by a fifth at constant prices. This is a usual fall following the Christmas-time and end-of-year sales. According to the seasonally and working-day adjusted data, retail sales increased half a percent compared to the previous month.

In January the revenues from sales of retail trade enterprises were 405.3 million euros, out of which the retail sales of goods accounted for 83%. Compared to January 2012, the revenues from sales increased by 3% at current prices. Compared to the previous month, this indicator decreased 19%.

Retail sales volume index of retail trade enterprises and its trend, January 2003 – January 2013 (2010 = 100)