Measured in real terms (constant 2019 prices), retail trade sales increased by 0,8% year-on-year in May 2024. The largest positive contributors to this increase were:

·         general dealers (1,7% and contributing 0,7 of a percentage point);

·         retailers in food, beverages and tobacco in specialised stores (4,4% and contributing 0,3 of a percentage point); and

·         retailers in household furniture, appliances and equipment (6,2% and contributing 0,3 of a percentage point).       

Retailers in textiles, clothing, footwear and leather goods was the only negative contributor (-4,5% and contributing -0,9 of a percentage point).

Seasonally adjusted retail trade sales decreased by 0,7% in May 2024 compared with April 2024. This followed month-on-month changes of 0,5% in April 2024 and 1,0% in March 2024.

Retail trade sales increased by 1,3% in the three months ended May 2024 compared with the three months ended May 2023. The largest positive contributor to this increase was general dealers (2,9% and contributing 1,2 percentage points).

Seasonally adjusted retail trade sales increased by 0,6% in the three months ended May 2024 compared with the previous three months. The largest contributor to the increase was general dealers (0,4% and contributing 0,2 of a percentage point).