Retail sales drop Y/Y in April

After quite a strong start to the year, retail sales volume fell in April on same month of 2005, by 2.1%, having risen by 4.1% year on year in March.

The decline hit number of subsectors, and could be related to a downturn in tourist arrivals, which itself was partly the result of the timing of Wester Easter.

Sales of food, beverages and tobacco in non-specialised stores (kiosks and supermarkets) fell by 0.2% year on year in April, while “other non-specialised stores sales” fell by 6%.

However, in truth the picture was very mixed. For example, sales of food in specialised stores (bakeries etc) rose by 3% year on year, while pharmaceutical sales continued to perform well, rising by 3.5%.

The internet revolution continues to hit sales at books, stationary stores and newsagents, with volume sales down 10.5% year on year in April. FM