IMPROVING LIVES THROUGH DATA ECOSYSTEMS

Measured in real terms (constant 2012 prices), retail trade sales increased by 2,8% year-on-year in March 2013. The highest annual growth rates were recorded for:

• retailers in hardware, paint and glass (4,4%);
• retailers in textiles, clothing, footwear and leather goods (3,8%);
• general dealers (3,6%); and
• all `other` retailers (3,3%).

The main contributors to the 2,8% increase were general dealers (contributing 1,4 percentage points), retailers in textiles, clothing, footwear and leather goods (contributing 0,7 of a percentage point) and all `other` retailers (contributing 0,4 of a percentage point).

Seasonally adjusted retail trade sales decreased by 0,9% in March 2013 compared with February 2013. This followed month-on-month changes of 2,0% in February 2013 and -1,1% in January 2013.

Seasonally adjusted retail trade sales increased by 0,6% in the first quarter of 2013 compared with the previous quarter.

Retail trade sales increased by 3,0% in the first quarter of 2013 compared with the first quarter of 2012. The main contributors to this increase were:

• retailers in textiles, clothing, footwear and leather goods (7,3% and contributing 1,4 percentage points); and
• general dealers (3,0% and contributing 1,2 percentage points).