Retail trade

In October 2018, the retail trade index remained flat in the three-month on three-month movement (value 0.0% and volume +0.1%).

When compared with September 2018, both value and volume of retail trade stayed relatively flat, increasing by 0.1% and 0.2% respectively.

Notwithstanding the general slowdown to growth in the seasonally adjusted series, year-on-year estimates of retail trade show a rise, as the value was up 1.5% and volume was up 1.6%.

Increases were seen across both large scale distribution (+1.1%) and small scale distribution (+0.5%) when compared with October 2017. Internet sales increased by 24.4%, showing the largest year-on-year rise since July 2017.

Looking at the value of sales by product category, in October 2018 the year-on-year picture was one of growth across each sector except Stationary, books, newspapers and magazines (-0.9%), Sporting equipment, games and toys (-0.7%) and Pharmaceuticals products (-0.1%). The strongest growth were seen in Computer and telecommunications equipment (+5.7%), Electric household appliances, audio-video equipment (+3.8%) and Other goods (+3.0%).