INFOGRAPHIC: Stable growth in retail sales and manufacturing output
Retail sales of goods in Estonia increased 5 percent in constant prices in November, compared to the same month in 2013, Statistics Estonia reported. Since August, retail sales growth has remained stable, averaging 5-6 percent compared with the same month of the previous year.
In November, retail sales totaled 396.1 million euros, which averages to 301 euros per inhabitant. Sales of manufactured goods increased 7 percent year-on-year, the agency said Monday.
Sales increased in most economic activities. Only retail sales in department-like stores, second-hand stores, and businesses that rely on stalls in markets and direct sales were smaller in the year-on-year comparison.
Two areas saw double-digit growth. Retail sales via mail order or the Internet increased the most, going up by a fifth (21 percent). Sales also increased in stores selling textiles, clothing and footware (14 percent).
Sales in grocery stores were stable, with 4 percent year-on-year growth in November. Sales of auto fuel increased 5 percent at constant prices compared to November 2013.
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The output of Estonian industry also grew by five percent in November, compared to November 2013, Statistics Estonia reported today. Since January 2014, manufacturing has shown production growth when compared to the same month of the previous year.
Production exceeded the volume in half of the branches of industry in a year-on-year comparison. Manufacturing and energy saw the largest gains in November, but mining decreased.
The growth in production was influenced the most by an increase in the manufacturing of electronic products, which jumped by 35.4 percent. The production of wood and wood products grew by 7.3 percent, and fabricated metal products rose by 8.9 percent.
Mining saw the largest decrease, with a 12.1 drop. Production volume also fell in furniture, chemicals and building materials.
Compared to November 2013, the production of electricity decreased 2 percent and the production of heat increased 14 percent.
Statistics Estonia is the Estonian government agency responsible for producing official statistics regarding Estonia. It is overseen by the Ministry of Finance.
Editor: S. Abel, S. Tambur