IMPROVING LIVES THROUGH DATA ECOSYSTEMS

Measured in real terms (constant 2008 prices), seasonally adjusted retail trade sales increased by 0,1% in July 2012 compared with June 2012. This followed month-on-month changes of 2,5% in June 2012 and -1,0% in May 2012.

Retail trade sales in real terms increased by 4,2% year-on-year in July 2012. The highest annual growth rates were recorded for:

• all 'other' retailers (11,6%);
• retailers in textiles, clothing, footwear and leather goods (10,5%); and
• retailers in pharmaceutical and medical goods, cosmetics and toiletries (7,3%).

In real terms, retail trade sales increased by 6,2% in the three months ended July 2012 compared with the three months ended July 2011. The largest contributors to the 6,2% increase were:

• retailers in textiles, clothing, footwear and leather goods (13,1% and contributing 2,8 percentage points);
• all 'other' retailers (9,1% and contributing 1,1 percentage points); and
• general dealers (3,0% and contributing 1,1 percentage points).