Analytics, Estonia, Good for Business, Markets and Companies, Retail

In December 2015, the retail sales of goods of retail trade enterprises were 510.7 million euros, which was about 390 euros per inhabitant.

The retail sales of stores selling manufactured goods accelerated in December. The retail sales of those stores increased 11% in November compared to the corresponding month of the previous year, whereas in December the growth was 18%. Sales increased in all economic activities. Sales increased the most (46%) in other specialised stores, such as stores selling computers and their accessories, books, sports equipment, games and toys etc. A higher than average increase in retail sales occurred also in retail sales via mail order or the Internet (30% growth) and in stores selling second-hand goods and in non-store retail sale (stalls, markets, direct sale) (29% growth). In December, the retail sales in stores selling household goods and appliances, hardware and building materials and the retail sales in stores selling textiles, clothing and footwear which showed a small decline in November, turned to rise again and grew 8% and 5%, respectively, compared to the same month of the previous year.

The growth in grocery stores, which decelerated in November, accelerated again in December and sales increased 3% compared to December 2014.

The retail sales of automotive fuel increased 9% at constant prices compared to December 2014.

In December compared to November 2015, the retail sales in retail trade enterprises increased 24% at constant prices. This is a usual rise in December, when the Christmas and turn-of-the-year sales take place.

In December, the turnover of retail trade enterprises was 584 million euros, out of which the retail sales of goods accounted for 87%. Compared to December 2014, the turnover increased by 7% at constant prices. Compared to the previous month, this indicator increased 20%.

According to preliminary data, the retail sales of retail trade enterprises were approximately 5.2 billion euros in 2015. Compared to 2014 the retail sales increased 8% at constant prices.

The statistics are based on the questionnaire “Turnover”, the deadline of which was 15.01.2016, and on the VAT declaration data from the Estonian Tax and Customs Board. Statistics Estonia published the monthly summary in 9 working days.

As of 2016, Statistics Estonia will start using only the VAT declaration data of the Estonian Tax and Customs Board and stop collecting data with the questionnaire “Turnover”. This will reduce the response burden of entrepreneurs and Statistics Estonia’s expenditure on data collection, and increase the use of administrative data. Due to the change in the data source, the monthly news release “Retail trade” will focus on the turnover of retail trade enterprises, instead of the retail sales of such enterprises (the first news release for 2016, “Retail trade, January 2016”, will be published on 02.03.2016). Statistics Estonia will continue publishing the retail sales indicator of retail trade enterprises on a quarterly and yearly basis.