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Published: 15 June 2020

Turnover and sales volume in trade fell in April

According to Statistics Finland, turnover in total trade adjusted for working days fell in April by 6.2 per cent from April 2019. Over the same period, the working day adjusted volume of sales, from which the impact of prices has been eliminated, decreased by 3.1 per cent. Turnover fell in all main industries of trade – in motor vehicle trade by over one fifth. The exceptional situation caused by coronavirus had an effect on the development of trade industries.

Annual change in working day adjusted turnover and sales volume in total trade (G), %

In wholesale trade, working day adjusted turnover decreased by 5.1 per cent in April, while the sales volume of the industry grew by 0.5 per cent year-on-year. Trade developed weakest in April in motor vehicle trade where turnover went down by as much as 22.3 per cent and sales volume by 23.1 per cent year-on-year. In retail trade, working day adjusted turnover fell by 1.3 per cent and sales volume by 0.6 per cent. As in March, retail trade was boosted in April especially by daily consumer goods trade, as the working day adjusted turnover of the industry concerned grew by 6.2 per cent. Turnover in specialised store trade contracted most of retail trade industries, down by 9.2 per cent from the year before. In department store trade turnover fell, in turn, by 5.2 per cent. The weaker development in turnover than in sales volume, especially in wholesale trade, is explained by fallen prices.

Annual change in working day adjusted turnover and sales volume in industries of trade, April 2020, % (TOL 2008)

Turnover and sales volume declined clearly from the previous month

Seasonally adjusted turnover in total trade fell by 3.1 per cent in April compared to March. Sales volume decreased by 1.9 per cent during the same period. In March, turnover fell by 0.7 per cent and sales volume by 0.1 per cent from the month before.

Change in seasonally adjusted turnover and sales volume in total trade (G) from the previous month, %

Trend of turnover and sales volume in total trade

The calculation of indices of turnover of trade is based on the Tax Administration’s data on self-assessed taxes, which are supplemented with Statistics Finland’s sales inquiry. The volume index of sales is calculated by removing the effect of price changes from the value index series.

The factors caused by the variation in the number of weekdays are taken into account in adjustment for working days. This means taking into consideration the lengths of months, different weekdays and holidays. In addition, seasonal variation is eliminated from seasonally adjusted series, on account of which it makes sense to compare observations of two successive months as well.

The data for the latest month are preliminary and they may become significantly revised particularly on more detailed industry levels in coming months.

Source: Turnover of trade, Statistics Finland

Inquiries: Suvi Kiema 029 551 3509, Aki Niskanen 029 551 2657, palvelut.suhdanne@stat.fi

Director in charge: Mari Ylä-Jarkko

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Appendix tables

• Appendix table 1. Annual change of working day adjusted turnover and sales volume in industries of trade, % (TOL 2008) (15.6.2020)

Revisions in these statistics

• Revisions in these statistics (15.6.2020)

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Updated 15.06.2020