IMPROVING LIVES THROUGH DATA ECOSYSTEMS

Measured in real terms (constant 2012 prices), retail trade sales increased by 0,8% year-on-year in July 2016. The highest positive annual growth rates were recorded for retailers in:

• pharmaceuticals and medical goods, cosmetics and toiletries (6,3%); and
  
• textiles, clothing, footwear and leather goods (4,3%).

The main positive contributors to the 0,8% increase were:

• retailers in textiles, clothing, footwear and leather goods (contributing 0,8 of a percentage point);
  
• general dealers (contributing 0,5 of a percentage point); and
  
• retailers in pharmaceuticals and medical goods, cosmetics and toiletries (contributing 0,5 of a percentage point).

Seasonally adjusted retail trade sales decreased by 0,4% month-on-month in July 2016. This followed month-on-month changes of -1,9% in June 2016 and 2,9% in May 2016. In the three months ended July 2016, seasonally adjusted retail trade sales increased by 0,5% compared with the previous three months.

Retail trade sales increased by 2,0% in the three months ended July 2016 compared with the three months ended July 2015. The main contributors to this increase were:

• general dealers (2,6% and contributing 1,1 percentage points); and
  
• retailers in pharmaceuticals and medical goods, cosmetics and toiletries (7,3% and contributing 0,6 of a percentage point).