Retail trade

In July 2019, estimates for both value and volume of retail sales saw a slight fall when compared with a month earlier, as the value was down 0.5% and the volume decreased by 0.7%.

In the three months to July 2019 the retail trade index increased both in value and in volume terms, growing by 0.5% when compared to the previous three months (Feb – Apr 2019).

Year-on-year both measures of retail trade showed growth for the second consecutive month: the value rose by 2.6%, while the quantity sold was up 2.8%.

Large scale distribution increased by 3.3% year-on-year and small scale distribution grew by 0.9% compared to July 2018.

Year-on-year online sales had a boost in July 2019, increasing by 23.2%, the biggest growth of 2019.

Looking at the value of sales for non-food products, growths were reported for all groups of products. Computers and telecommunications equipment (+6.4%) and Shoes, leather goods and travel items (+6.1%) dominated the market, while the lowest growths concerned Stationery, books, newspapers and magazines (+0.1%) and Pharmaceutical products (+0.8%).