Home > Statistics > Turnover of trade > 2016 > August > Sales in total trade grew by 4.2 per cent year-on-year in August

Published: 13 October 2016

Sales in total trade grew by 4.2 per cent year-on-year in August

According to Statistics Finland, retail trade sales grew by 2.4 per cent in August from August 2015. Among retail trade industries, sales in department stores grew by 8.2 per cent, whereas daily consumer goods sales contracted by 0.9 per cent. In addition to daily consumer goods sales and department store sales, the development of retail trade was also affected by the positive development of specialised store sales. Sales in wholesale trade increased by 3.1 per cent in August year-on-year. Growth in sales was strongest in motor vehicle trade where it amounted to 13.6 per cent. Sales increased in total trade by 4.2 per cent from August 2015.

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

Sales volume grew in total trade by 4.9 per cent in August from the year before

The volume of retail trade sales grew by 3.1 per cent in August from August 2015. In motor vehicle trade, the sales volume grew by 13.1 per cent year-on-year. Statistics Finland's data indicate that the number of first registrations of motor vehicles was also 13.0 per cent higher in August than one year earlier. The sales volume in wholesale trade increased by 3.9 per cent in August. Thus, sales volume increased in total trade by 4.9 per cent compared with August 2015.

The volume index of sales is calculated by removing the effect of price changes from the value index series. Due to fallen prices, the sales volume developed more favourably than turnover in all sectors of trade apart from motor vehicle trade.

Sales in retail trade grew by 0.4 per cent in January to August

Sales in total trade increased by 0.4 per cent in January to August from January to August 2015. In the corresponding period, motor vehicle sales went up by 9.4 per cent and retail trade sales by 0.4 per cent from one year previously. In turn, sales in wholesale trade decreased by 1.7 per cent in January to August from January to August 2015.

The reported annual changes in trade sales and sales volumes are not seasonally or trading day adjusted, which means that the effects of public holidays are not considered. The growth in department store sales was affected by discount sales and clearance sales, and by the weaker development of the corresponding month. The opening hours of retail shops were deregulated starting from 1 January 2016 after which some retail shops have extended their opening hours.

Source: Turnover of trade, Statistics Finland

Inquiries: Milka Suomalainen 029 551 2912, Seija Karttunen 029 551 2741, palvelut.suhdanne@stat.fi

Director in charge: Mari Ylä-Jarkko

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Appendix tables

• Appendix table 1. Year-on-year change in turnover in trade industries, % (TOL 2008) (13.10.2016)

Figures

• Appendix figure 1. Turnover of motor vehicles, wholesale and retail trade, trend series (TOL 2008) (13.10.2016)

Revisions in these statistics

• Revisions in these statistics (13.10.2016)

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Updated 13.10.2016