IMPROVING LIVES THROUGH DATA ECOSYSTEMS

Measured in real terms (constant 2008 prices), retail trade sales increased by 1,0% year-on-year in October 2012. The highest annual growth rates were recorded for retailers in:

• household furniture, appliances and equipment (3,9%);
• pharmaceuticals and medical goods, cosmetics and toiletries (3,2%); and
• textiles, clothing, footwear and leather goods (1,5%).

The main contributors to the 1,0% increase were retailers in household furniture, appliances and equipment; retailers in textiles, clothing, footwear; and leather goods and general dealers (all contributing 0,3 of a percentage point).

Seasonally adjusted retail trade sales decreased by 1,7% in October 2012 compared with September 2012. This followed month-on-month changes of -0,3% in September 2012 and 1,8% in August 2012.

Seasonally adjusted retail trade sales increased by 1,6% in the three months ended October 2012 compared with the previous three months.

Retail trade sales increased by 4,1% in the three months ended October 2012 compared with the three months ended October 2011. The main contributors to this increase were:

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