IMPROVING LIVES THROUGH DATA ECOSYSTEMS

Measured in real terms (constant 2008 prices), seasonally adjusted retail trade sales increased by 1,5% in April 2012 compared with March 2012. This followed month-on-month changes of 2,2% in March 2012 and -2,4% in February 2012.

Retail trade sales in real terms increased by 1,0% year-on-year in April 2012 compared with the revised 6,7% increase in March 2012. Note that the year-on-year growth rate for April 2012 is affected by a relatively high base, since retail sales were boosted in April 2011 by the concentration of public holidays in late April and early May 2011 and additional school holidays after the Easter weekend.

The highest annual growth rates were recorded for:

• retailers in hardware, paint and glass (8,7%); and
• retailers in pharmaceutical and medical goods, cosmetics and toiletries (3,3%).

In real terms, retail trade sales for the three months ended April 2012 reflected an increase of 4,7% compared with the three months ended April 2011. The largest contributors to the 4,7% increase were:

• general dealers (4,1% and contributing 1,6 percentage points);
• retailers in textiles, clothing, footwear and leather goods (5,9% and contributing 1,2 percentage points); and
• 'all other retailers' (7,2% and contributing 0,9 of a percentage point).