Home > Statistics > Turnover of trade > 2014 > March > Retail trade sales fell by 1.5 per cent in March from one year ago

Published: 14 May 2014

Retail trade sales fell by 1.5 per cent in March from one year ago

According to Statistics Finland, retail trade sales fell by 1.5 per cent in March from March 2013. In daily consumer goods trade, sales contracted by 3.5 per cent and in department store trade by 1.6 per cent from one year ago. Also in wholesale trade, sales decreased by 4.0 per cent, but motor vehicle sales went up by 6.6 per cent from one year ago. In total trade, sales declined in March by 2.0 per cent from the corresponding period of the previous year.

Annual change in turnover in trade industries, % (TOL 2008)

The decrease in retail trade sales was partly also due to Easter being in April this year, while last year it was at the turn of March and April. The fact that Easter occurs in different months is in particular visible in the sales development of food during March and April.

In retail trade, the sales volume contracted by 1.9 per cent from March 2013. In wholesale trade, the sales volume also declined by 2.1 per cent while motor vehicle sales volume grew by 6.9 per cent. Thus, the sales volume contracted in total trade by 0.9 per cent in March from the year before. The volume index of sales is calculated by removing the effect of price changes from the value index series.

Total trade sales decreased by 0.5 per cent in the first quarter of 2014 from the respective period of one year previously

Retail trade sales diminished by 0.5 per cent in January to March, and wholesale trade sales by 2.5 per cent from the corresponding time period of the year before. By contrast, motor vehicle sales grew by 9.0 per cent over the same period. In total trade, sales were 0.5 per cent lower in the first quarter than in the year before.

Index of turnover of trade included in the renewal of business statistics

Statistics Finland has renewed the production of business statistics. The review concerns more than ten sets of statistics. The renewal harmonises the production of business statistics. A uniform business production system has been adopted in the indices of turnover of trade in May 2014. Further information on Changes in these statistics page.

Source: Turnover of trade, Statistics Finland

Inquiries: Jarkko Niemistö 09 1734 2951, Tiina Talvio 09 1734 2698, palvelut.suhdanne@stat.fi

Director in charge: Hannele Orjala

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Appendix tables

• Appendix table 1. Year-on-year change in turnover in trade industries, % (TOL 2008) (14.5.2014)

Figures

• Appendix figure 1. Turnover of motor vehicles, wholesale and retail trade, trend series (TOL 2008) (14.5.2014)

Revisions in these statistics

• Revisions in these statistics (14.5.2014)

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Updated 14.5.2014