In January, the turnover of retail trade enterprises decreased

In January 2018, the turnover of retail trade enterprises was 521.2 million euros. The decrease in turnover was affected the most by enterprises engaged in the retail sales of automotive fuel, where sales decreased 17% compared to January of the previous year. The turnover fall of these enterprises was affected to an extent by the continuing price increase of automotive fuel.

In January 2018, compared to the same month of the previous year, the turnover of grocery stores decreased 2%.

The turnover of stores selling manufactured goods increased 7% compared to January 2017. Turnover increased in most economic activities, except in stores selling second-hand goods and in non-store retail sale (stalls, markets, direct sale) where turnover was smaller than in January 2017. Turnover increased the most in stores selling household goods and appliances, hardware and building materials, with sales increasing 13% in a year. A higher than average increase in turnover occurred also in stores selling via mail order or the internet (12%), in non-specialised stores selling predominantly manufactured goods (i.e. department stores) (11%) and in stores selling pharmaceutical goods and cosmetics (11%).

Compared to the previous month, in January, the turnover of retail trade enterprises decreased by a fifth. This is a usual fall following the Christmas and turn-of-the-year sales in December. According to seasonally and working-day adjusted data, turnover decreased 3% compared to the previous month.

The statistics are based on the VAT declaration data of the Estonian Tax and Customs Board. Statistics Estonia published the monthly summary in four working days. For the statistical activity “Economic indicators of trade enterprises”, the main representative of public interest is the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Communications, commissioned by whom Statistics Estonia performs this statistical activity.