Retail trade

In November 2018, the retail trade index increased by 0.7% (both in value and volume terms) when compared with the previous month.

The year-on-year growth rate rose by 1.6% in value terms, while the quantity sold increased by 1.8%.

In the three months to November 2018, the value of retail trade remained broadly flat when compared to the previous three months, while the volume slightly grew by 0.2%.

Large scale distribution saw an increase in the year-over-year growth rate (+1.8%), however small scale distribution is estimated to have decreased by 0.1%. The value of online sales showed strong growth when compared with the previous year at 22.4%.

Looking at the value of sales by product category, in November 2018 the sharpest growth was seen in Electric household appliances, audio-video equipment (+11.7%), followed by increases in Shoes, leather goods and travel items (4.3%) and in Computers and telecommunications equipment (4.2%). Falls were reported in Stationery, books, newspapers and magazines (-2.5%) and Sporting equipment, games and toys (-0.8%).