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

Measured in real terms (constant 2008 prices), seasonally adjusted retail trade sales decreased by 0,8% in May 2012 compared with April 2012. This followed month-on-month changes of 0,8% in April 2012 and 2,1% in March 2012.

Retail trade sales in real terms increased by 6,4% year-on-year in May 2012. The highest annual growth rates were recorded for:

  • retailers in hardware, paint and glass (11,1%);
  • retailers in textiles, clothing, footwear and leather goods (11,0%); and
  • 'all other retailers' (9,8%).

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

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