IMPROVING LIVES THROUGH DATA ECOSYSTEMS

Measured in real terms (constant 2012 prices), retail trade sales increased by 3,4% year-on-year in October 2014. The highest annual growth rates were recorded for retailers in:

• food, beverages and tobacco in specialised stores (6,6%);
• household furniture, appliances and equipment  (4,6%); and
• hardware, paint and glass (4,3%).

The main contributors to the 3,4% increase were general dealers (contributing 0,8 of a percentage point), retailers in textiles, clothing, footwear and leather goods (contributing 0,7 of a percentage point) and retailers in food, beverages and tobacco in specialised stores (contributing 0,6 of a percentage point).

Seasonally adjusted retail trade sales increased by 0,4% month-on-month in October 2014. This followed month-on-month changes of -0,7% in September 2014 and 0,5% in August 2014.

Seasonally adjusted retail trade sales increased by 0,6% in the three months ended October 2014 compared with the previous three months.

Retail trade sales increased by 2,6% in the three months ended October 2014 compared with the three months ended October 2013. The main contributors to this increase were:

• general dealers (2,4% and contributing 1,0 percentage point); and
• retailers in hardware, paint and glass (4,6% and contributing 0,4 of a percentage point).