Retail trade

In June 2020 the seasonally adjusted index of retail trade continued its recovery after sharp falls due to the pandemic emergency. However, levels of total sales in the month on month series remained lower than levels recorded at the beginning of 2020, before Covid-19 outbreak. Compared with May 2020, estimates of value grew by 12.1%, while volume of sales rose by 12.5%.

In the second quarter of 2020 the seasonally adjusted index, notwithstanding the partial recovery in the month on month series, showed a decline, as value of sales decreased by 7.9% and volume dropped by 8.8% compared with the first quarter of 2020.

In June 2020, value and volume of sales contracted in the year on year series by 2.2% and by 3.5% respectively, after a steeper decline reported in April and May 2020.

Comparing with the same month a year earlier, large-scale distribution fell by 1.8%, small-scale distribution decreased by 6.4% and non-store sales was down 5.9%.

Internet sales reached a record 53.5% when compared with June 2019, confirming a shift within the retail trade to online sales.

Looking at the value of sales for non-food products, data outlined a mixed picture across different categories in the year on year series. Growths were reported for Computers and telecommunications equipment (+15.1%) and Furniture and textile items and household furnishings (+10.4%). The largest drops were reported for Shoes, leather goods and travel items (-12.8%) and Clothing (-12.3%).