Preliminary figures by Statistics Netherlands signal a two percent increase in the turnover volume in retail trade in August 2002 compared to the same month last year.
The price increase was 2.9 percent in the corresponding period and the value of retail trade rose by five percent. More shopping days in August 2002 compared to August last year also boosted turnover volume in retail trade.
In total, consumers spent more than 6.6 billion euro on retail articles, an average spending of approximately 960 euro per household, of which almost 570 euro was spent in the non-food sector.
Turnover increase in textile supermarkets continues
In August, sales in textile supermarkets grew by 21.7 percent compared to August 2001, the highest increase for years. Turnover in household articles, clothing, consumer electronics, DIY articles as well as chemist’s shops rose above average. Total turnover in the non-food sector rose by 3.6 percent in August.
Sales in home decoration shops declining
The value of turnover in home decoration shops fell by 0.9 percent in August, whereas in 2001 turnover rose by six percent. The decline in August and the limited growth in the period January to August (0.7 percent) are consistent with the consumer confidence survey by Statistics Netherlands which shows a diminishing readiness to make large purchases from January 2001. Usually, this is reflected in the sales after six to nine months. A turnover increase by almost six percent in consumer electronics seems to belie this development.
Volume rise in food sector
In the food sector turnover rose by 4.4 percent in August compared to August 2001. The rise in prices evidently slackens off. In January, prices were 7.5 percent higher than in January last year, the corresponding percentages for March and August were five and 2.6. Sales rose by 7.1 percent in August. Supermarkets, the largest group in the non-food sector, saw turnover rise by 8.4 percent.
(source: Statistics Netherlands)
