Shoppers continue retail rebound

TALLINN - In March 2011 compared to March of the previous year retail sales of goods increased 5 percent, at constant prices, show data at Statistics Estonia, reports news agency LETA. Compared to the same month of the previous year, the retail sales of retail trade companies started to grow again in September 2010, after two and a half years of decline. The growth also continued in October, November and December. In January this year retail sales fell slightly, but in February it turned to a rise again. The growth in retail sales continued also in March.

In March, retail sales of goods of retail trade firms reached 304 million euros. The increase in retail sales was influenced by the stores selling manufactured goods, where retail sales increased by 13 percent compared to March 2010. Sales increased in most economic activities. The growth in retail sales was the highest in stores selling household goods and appliances, hardware and building materials, where retail sales increased 28 percent during the year. Non-specialized stores with industrial goods predominating, and other specialized stores, were also successful. In these stores retail sales increased 19 percent and 16 percent, respectively.

Retail sales in grocery stores decreased 1 percent compared to March of the previous year. The decrease in retail sales of these stores was continually influenced by a price increase that was higher than average.
Compared to the previous month, retail sales increased 16 percent at constant prices. According to the seasonally and working-day adjusted data, retail sales increased by 2 percent. During the three month period from January–March, 2011, retail sales increased 2 percent at constant prices compared to the corresponding period of the previous year.

In March, revenues from sales of retail trade firms were 374 million euros, of which the retail sales of goods accounted for 81 percent. Compared to March 2010, revenues from sales increased 11 percent at current prices. Compared to the previous month, this indicator increased 18 percent.