In October the growth in retail sales continued

In October 2015, the retail sales of goods of retail trade enterprises were 442.7 million euros, which was 337 euros per inhabitant.

The retail sales growth in stores selling manufactured goods slowed down slightly in October. The retail sales of those stores increased 16% in September compared to the corresponding month of the previous year, whereas in October the increase was 12%. Sales increased in most economic activities. Only the retail sales in stores selling pharmaceutical goods and cosmetics were one percent smaller than in October of the previous year. In October, sales increased the most (39%) in other specialised stores, such as stores selling computers and their accessories, stationery, books, sports equipment, games and toys etc. A higher than average increase in retail sales occurred also in stores selling second-hand goods and in non-store retail sale (stalls, markets, direct sale) (33% growth) and in retail sales via mail order or the Internet (30% growth).

In grocery stores, the retail sales growth continued to accelerate in October. While in August the retail sales of those stores increased 2% compared to the same month of the previous year and in September 3%, then in October the growth amounted to 4%. The accelerated growth in the retail sales of grocery stores was partly influenced by the discount sales campaigns that took place in October.

The retail sales of automotive fuel increased 11% at constant prices compared to October 2014, which was significantly faster growth than in September. The fast growth in the retail sales of automotive fuel was influenced by the prices of automotive fuel which were 19.4% cheaper than last year.

Compared to the previous month, in October, the retail sales in retail trade enterprises increased 6% at constant prices. According to the seasonally and working-day adjusted data, the growth was 1%. During the ten months (January–October) of 2015, the retail sales in retail trade enterprises increased 8% at constant prices compared to the corresponding period of the previous year.

In October, the turnover of retail trade enterprises was 520.7 million euros, out of which the retail sales of goods accounted for 85%. Compared to October 2014, the turnover increased by 6% at constant prices. Compared to the previous month, this indicator increased 5%.

The statistics are based on the questionnaire “Turnover”, the deadline of which was 15.11.2015, and on the VAT declaration data from the Estonian Tax and Customs Board. Statistics Estonia published the monthly summary in 11 working days.

As of 2016, Statistics Estonia will start using only the VAT declaration data of the Estonian Tax and Customs Board and stop collecting data with the questionnaire “Turnover”. This will reduce the response burden of entrepreneurs and Statistics Estonia’s expenditure on data collection, and increase the use of administrative data. Due to the change in the data source, the monthly news release “Retail trade” will focus on the turnover of retail trade enterprises, instead of the retail sales of such enterprises (the first news release for 2016, “Retail trade, January 2016”, will be published on 02.03.2016). Statistics Estonia will continue publishing the retail sales indicator of retail trade enterprises on a quarterly and yearly basis.