IMPROVING LIVES THROUGH DATA ECOSYSTEMS

Retail trade sales show an increase in real terms

Retail trade sales at constant (2000) prices, for the three months up to October 2006, showed an increase of 10,3% compared with the three months up to October 2005. This is the second largest increase for the three months up to October of each year since 2000. The highest increase (+10,8%) was reported for the three months up to October 2004 compared with the corresponding period of 2003.

Retail trade sales at constant (2000) prices, for October 2006, increased by 8,8% compared with October 2005, slowing from 13,5% in September 2006 compared with September 2005. Similarly, retail trade sales at constant (2000) prices, for the first ten months of 2006, increased by 9,8% compared with the first ten months of 2005. The 9,8% growth is the highest growth ever reported for the first ten months of each year since 2000.

Retail trade sales at current prices, for the three months up to October 2006, increased by 16,6% compared with the three months up to October 2005. Furthermore, retail trade sales at current prices, for October 2006, increased by 14,3% compared with October 2005. The corresponding growth rate for October 2005 compared with October 2004 was 11,6%.