The volume of sales in retail trade, excluding fuels, has increased by 2.8% in May 2021 compared to the same month last year. In the same period, the sharpest increases were registered for ‘Retail sale via stalls and markets’, ‘Textiles, clothing, footwear and leather goods in specialised stores’, ‘Automotive fuel in specialised stores’ and ‘Retail sale of other goods in specialised stores’, i.e. increases of 46.8%, 29.4%, 28.6% and 23.3%, respectively.
The sharpest decrease was registered by ‘Retail sale in non-specialised stores with food, beverages or tobacco predominating’, i.e. a decrease of 8.7%.
Comparisons with May 2019
As the shops deemed non-essential were allowed to reopen from 11 May 2020 onwards (excluding contact professions and markets), we can also compare the current results with those of May 2019. The sharpest increases can then be observed for ‘Retail sale via mail order houses or via Internet’, ‘Retail trade not in stores, stalls or markets’ and ‘Other household equipment in specialised stores’, i.e. increases of 40.8%, 30.4% and 21.6%, respectively.
The sharpest decreases were observed in ‘Textiles, clothing, footwear and leather goods in specialised stores’ and ‘Automotive fuel in specialised stores’, i.e. decreases of 6.7% and 2.9%.
The volume of sales in retail trade, excluding fuels, has increased by 7.7% in May 2021 compared to the same month in 2019.
These indices are expressed with reference year 2015=100.
Remark
From January 2021 and following the new European FRIBS regulation (Regulation (EU) 2019/2152), breakdowns at the retail level have changed. As a result, some breakdowns no longer exist and new ones have been implemented. Our methodology also changed. The main data source is the VAT declaration of enterprises to the FPS Finances, and no longer a survey. Only +/- 340 major enterprises will continue to answer the survey. The indices have been recalculated with the new methodology since 2010.