IMPROVING LIVES THROUGH DATA ECOSYSTEMS

Measured in real terms (constant 2008 prices), seasonally adjusted retail trade sales decreased by 0,6% in January 2012 compared with December 2011. This followed month-on-month changes of 1,4% in December 2011 and -0,1% in November 2011.

Retail trade sales in real terms increased by 3,9% year-on-year in January 2012. The highest annual growth rates were recorded for:

• general dealers (5,7%);
• retailers in hardware, paint and glass (5,4%); and
• retailers in pharmaceutical and medical goods, cosmetics and toiletries (5,2%).

In real terms, retail trade sales for the three months ended January 2012 reflected an increase of 6,9% compared with the three months ended January 2011. The largest contributors to the 6,9% increase were:

• general dealers (7,0% and contributing 2,6 percentage points);
• retailers in textiles, clothing, footwear and leather goods (8,3% and contributing 1,9 percentage points); and
• all other retailers (6,6% and contributing 0,8 of a percentage point).