December retail turnover up one percent on year
According to information released by Statistics Estonia on Tuesday, the turnover of retail trade businesses in December 2017 increased one percent on year at constant prices, totaling €654.5 million.
The turnover of stores selling manufactured goods increased seven percent compared to December 2016.
Turnover increased in most economic activities, except in non-specialized stores selling predominantly manufactured goods, e.g. department stores, where turnover was smaller than in December 2016. Turnover increased the most in stores selling via mail order or the internet, which saw an increase in sales of 26 percent on year. A higher than average increase in turnover was also recorded by stores selling household goods and appliances, hardware and building materials, which saw 13 percent growth, and in stores selling second-hand goods as well as non-store retail sale, such as stalls, markets, direct sale, which saw nine percent growth last month.
The turnover of grocery stores, meanwhile, decreased three percent compared to December 2016; the fall in turnover these stores was affected by the continuing increase in the prices of food products.
The turnover of enterprises engaged in retail sales of automotive fuel remained constant on year.
Compared to November 2017, the turnover of retail trade businesses increased 18 percent in December. Such an increase is typical for December, when Christmas and end-of-year sales take place.
According to preliminary data, the total turnover of retail trade businesses in Estonia was €6.7 billion in 2017. Compared to 2016, turnover increased 1.5 percent.
Editor: Aili Vahtla