IMPROVING LIVES THROUGH DATA ECOSYSTEMS

Measured in real terms (constant 2008 prices), seasonally adjusted retail trade sales decreased by 1,0% in February 2011 compared with January 2011. This followed month-on-month changes of 1,0% in January 2011 and 1,6% in December 2010.

In real terms, retail trade sales for the three months ended February 2011 reflected an increase of 6,9% compared with the three months ended February 2010. The main contributors to the increase of 6,9% were ‘general dealers’ (5,4% and contributing 2,1 percentage points), ‘retailers in textiles, clothing, footwear and leather goods’ (5,9% and contributing 1,3 percentage points), ‘retailers in pharmaceutical and medical goods, cosmetics and toiletries’ (18,2% and contributing 1,0 percentage point) and ‘all other retailers’ (7,8% and contributing 1,0 percentage point).

Retail trade sales in real terms increased by 5,6% year-on-year in February 2011. The highest annual growth rate was recorded for ‘retailers in hardware, paint and glass’ (16,7%), followed by ‘retailers in pharmaceutical and medical goods, cosmetics and toiletries’ (10,8%) and ‘retailers in household furniture, appliances and equipment’ (7,7%).