The growth in retail sales decelerated in February

Photo: Arvo Meeks / Lõuna-Eesti Postimees

According to Statistics Estonia, in February 2013 compared to February of the previous year, the retail sales of goods of retail trade enterprises increased 2% at constant prices.

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 4% growth continued, but in February the growth decelerated.

In February 2013, the retail sales of goods of retail trade enterprises were 317.9 million euros, which was 247 euros per inhabitant. The retail sales in stores selling manufactured goods increased 8% compared to February 2012. The sales increased in all economic activities. The retail sales of second-hand goods in stores and non-store retail sale (stalls, markets, direct sale) increased the most, where the retail sales increased more than half (64%) compared to February 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 – 1.9% in February 2013. In February, a higher than average increase in retail sales occurred in the stores selling household goods and appliances, hardware and building materials (growth 11%), retail sales via mail order or the Internet (growth 8%), in stores selling pharmaceutical goods and cosmetics (growth 6%), in other specialized stores, such as stores selling computers and their accessories, photography supplies, books, sports equipment, games and toys, etc. (growth 5%) and in stores selling textiles, clothing and footwear (growth 4%).

The retail sales in grocery stores which slightly decelerated in January turned into fall in February and decreased 2% compared to the same month of the previous year. The growth in retail sales of these stores was influenced by the high reference base of February 2012 and acceleration in the price increase of food products. If in February 2012 the annual price increase of food products was 2.9%, then in February this year 6%.

Compared to the previous month, in February the retail sales in retail trade enterprises decreased 7% at constant prices. According to the seasonally and working-day adjusted data the retail sales decreased by 2%.

In February the revenues from sales of retail trade enterprises were 381 million euros, out of which the retail sales of goods accounted for 83%. Compared to February 2012, the revenues from sales decreased by 2% at current prices. Compared to the previous month, this indicator decreased 6%.

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