Key findings: P6242.1 - Retail trade sales, February 2012

Measured in real terms (constant 2008 prices), seasonally adjusted retail trade sales decreased by 2,2% in February 2012 compared with January 2012. This followed month-on-month changes of -1,0% in January 2012 and 1,1% in December 2011.

Retail trade sales in real terms increased by 7,2% year-on-year in February 2012. The highest annual growth rates were recorded for:

  • 'all other' retailers (11,4%);
  • general dealers (8,7%); and
  • retailers in household furniture, appliances and equipment (7,9%).

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

  • general dealers (7,8% and contributing 2,9 percentage points);
  • retailers in textiles, clothing, footwear and leather goods (6,7% and contributing 1,5 percentage points); and
  • 'all other' retailers (9,4% and contributing 1,1 percentage points).