Compared to May 2016, total retail trade turnover rose by 3.8% in May 2017. Turnover of retail trade in food products increased by 2.4% and turnover of retail trade in non-food products grew by 4.8%.
The most significant growth in turnover in the non-food product group was recorded in retail sale of information and communication equipment (by 34.4%), retail sale of cultural and recreation goods (by 18.2%), retail sale via mail order houses or via Internet (by 11.7%) and in retail sale of hardware, paints and glass (by 8.5%). In turn, a drop in turnover was experienced in retail sale via stalls and markets (by 7.9%), as well as in retail sale of pharmaceutical and medical goods (by 2.1%), according to data from the Central Statistical Bureau of Latvia.
Total retail trade turnover at current prices increased by 6.5%, without taking into account the calendar influence.
In May as compared to April retail trade turnover increased by 1% (according to seasonally adjusted data at constant prices). Turnover of retail trade in food products grew by 0.5%, while turnover of retail trade in non-food products increased by 1.4%.
Growth in turnover was recorded in retail sale of cultural and recreation goods (8.1%), retail sale via stalls and markets (3.4%) and in retail sale of clothing and footwear (2.9%). In turn, a drop in turnover was experienced in retail sale of information and communication equipment (0.9%), as well as in retail sale in non-specialized stores with non-food products predominating and in retail sale via mail order houses or via Internet (0.3% in both).
Compared to April, the total retail trade turnover at current prices (not taking into account seasonality) rose by 6.8% in May. (BNN/Business World Magazine)