Key findings: P6242.1 - Retail trade sales, May 2011

Measured in real terms (constant 2008 prices), seasonally adjusted retail trade sales decreased by 4,7% in May 2011 compared with April 2011. This followed month-on-month changes of 2,6% in April 2011 and 0,4% in March 2011.

In real terms, retail trade sales for the three months ended May 2011 reflected an increase of 5,0% compared with the three months ended May 2010. The largest contributor to the increase of 5,0% was `general dealers` (6,3% and contributing 2,4 percentage points), followed by `retailers in textiles, clothing, footwear and leather goods` (5,9% and contributing 1,2 percentage points).

Total retail trade sales in real terms recorded no growth between May 2010 and May 2011. The largest percentage changes between these two months were recorded for `retailers in household furniture, appliances and equipment` (+6,3%), `general dealers` (+4,0%), `retailers in pharmaceutical and medical goods, cosmetics and toiletries` (+3,8%), `retailers in hardware, paint and glass` (-8,5%) and `retailers in food, beverages and tobacco in specialised stores` (-8,4%).