3.4% increase in sales in retail trade excluding fuels - May 2025
Compared to April 2025, the volume of sales in most major trade sectors, except Retail sale of automotive fuel in specialised stores, increased.
Compared to the previous month, the volume of sales in retail trade, excluding fuels, has, increased by 3.4% in May 2025.
In the major trade sectors, we register an increase of 4.6% in Retail sale of textiles, clothing, footwear and leather goods in specialised stores, of 4.2% in Retail sale of other household equipment in specialised stores, of 3.8% in Retail sale in non-specialised stores with food, beverages or tobacco predominating and of 2.7% in Retail sale of other goods in specialised stores
The only decrease occurred in Retail sale of automotive fuel in specialised stores with a decrease of -1.9%.
Retail trade registered an increase in its volume compared to May 2024.
Compared to May 2024, the volume of sales in retail trade, excluding fuels, has increased by 3.2%.
As for the major trade sectors, there was an increase of 7.0% in Retail sale of textiles, clothing, footwear and leather goods in specialised stores, of 4.8% in Retail sale of other goods in specialised stores, of 1.7% in Retail sale of other household equipment in specialised stores and of 1.5% in Retail sale in non-specialised stores with food, beverages or tobacco predominating
In the major retail trade sectors, only the sector of Retail sale of automotive fuel in specialised stores decreased by -2.7%.
More info
These indices are expressed with reference year 2021=100.
Important: from August 2024, due to the new calculation of the sales deflator series, the sales quantity series have been revised. This readjustment concerns the entire history since January 2006
We have introduced a new downloadable file and updated the Be.stat Cube. From now on, both will include indices expressed in reference year 2021=100.
The downloadable file with the indices expressed in reference year 2015=100 is still available, but will no longer be updated and will stop in December 2023.
Since January 2021, following the new European FRIBS regulation (Regulation (EU) 2019/2152), breakdowns for retail trade have changed. 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.
From January 2021 and following the new European FRIBS regulation (Regulation (EU) 2019/2152), breakdowns at the retail level have changed. Some breakdowns no longer exist and new ones have been implemented. Our methodology has also been reviewed. So 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.
Retail Sales Gross index and trend (deflated), last 4 months
Access to latest statisticsPurpose and brief description
Evolution of the turnover in the retail trade.
Reference year
From January 2024, the indices are expressed with reference year 2021=100.
Therefore, we have created a new downloadable file, expressing the full series with reference year 2021=100.
The downloadable files with reference year 2015=100 remain available but will no longer be updated. These files end consequently in December 2023.
Population
Enterprises carrying out a main economic activity in the division 47 of the NACE Rev. 2 (Retail trade, except of motor vehicles and motorcycles)
Frequency
Monthly.
Timing of publication
Preliminary results available 30 days after the reference period; final results available 50 days after the reference period
Definitions
Economic activity (NACE-BEL): Official nomenclature with an "X" at the end of the number since the information is only available for 4 positions.
Deflated gross index: Deflated gross index of the turnover in the retail trade
Deflated index (SA-WDA): deflated index of the turnover in the retail trade, seasonnally adjusted and working day adjusted
Deflated index (WDA): deflated index of the turnover in the retail trade, working day adjusted
Gross index: gross index of the turnover in the retail trade
Index (SA-WDA): index of the turnover in the retail trade, seasonnally adjusted and working day adjusted
Index (WDA): index of the turnover in the retail trade, working day adjusted
Trend of the deflated index: trend of the deflated index of the turnover in the retail trade
Trend of the index: trend of the index of the turnover in the retail trade.