Retail trade

In September 2019 the monthly growth rate of sales rose by 0.7% in value terms and by 0.8% in volume terms, after two consecutive monthly falls in the series.

In the third quarter of 2019, the value of retail trade grew by 0.5%, while the quantity sold increased by 0.4% when compared with the second quarter of 2019.

Year-on-year both value and volume of retail trade increased for the fourth consecutive month in September 2019, growing by 0.9% and 0.7% respectively.

In September 2019 large scale distribution was up 0.6% year-on-year, while small scale distribution was down 0.4% compared to September 2018.

Internet sales showed the highest growth since July 2017, increasing by 26.3% in September 2019.

Looking at the value of sales for non-food products, the largest growths were reported for Computers and telecommunications equipment (+5.6%) and Shoes, leather goods and travel items (+4.2%), while the largest drops concerned Stationery, books, newspapers and magazines (-1.5%) and Pharmaceutical products (-0.5%).