In October, turnover growth of retail trade enterprises continued

The turnover of stores selling manufactured goods increased 9% compared to October 2017. Turnover increased in most economic activities, except in stores selling textiles, clothing and footwear, where turnover was smaller than in October 2017. Turnover increased the most in other specialised stores, such as stores selling predominantly computers and their accessories, books, sports equipment, games, toys, etc., with sales increasing by a fifth (20%) year on year. A higher than average increase in turnover occurred also in pharmacies and stores selling cosmetics (14%).

The turnover of grocery stores increased 1% compared to October 2017.

The turnover of enterprises engaged in retail sales of automotive fuel decreased 8% compared to October of the previous year. The turnover fall of these enterprises was affected by the continuing price increase of automotive fuel.

Compared to the previous month, in October, the turnover of retail trade enterprises increased 4%. According to the seasonally and working-day adjusted data, however, turnover stayed at the same level compared to the previous month. In the ten months of 2018 (January–October), the turnover of retail trade enterprises increased 1% compared to the corresponding period of the previous year.

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.