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

Measured in real terms (constant 2008 prices), seasonally adjusted retail trade sales increased by 2,1% in March 2012 compared with February 2012. This followed month-on-month changes of -2,4% in February 2012 and -0,9% in January 2012.

Retail trade sales in real terms increased by 6,8% year-on-year in March 2012. The highest annual growth rates were recorded for:

  • retailers in textiles, clothing, footwear and leather goods (12,0%);
  • retailers in household furniture, appliances and equipment (11,3%); and
  • 'all other' retailers (9,8%).

In real terms, retail trade sales for first quarter of 2012 reflected an increase of 5,9% compared with the first quarter of 2011. The largest contributors to the 5,9% increase were:

  • general dealers (5,9% and contributing 2,3 percentage points);
  • 'all other' retailers (8,3% and contributing 1,0 percentage point); and
  • retailers in textiles, clothing, footwear and leather goods (5,4% and contributing 1,0 percentage point).