Turnover in the retail sector increased by nearly 20% YOY in March
Text Mark Taylor
Photo Andrei Chertkov
According to Statistics Estonia, in March, the turnover of retail trade enterprises was 891 million euros. This is an increase of 18% compared to March 2021.
“In March, the increase in turnover in the retail trade was primarily influenced by stores selling manufactured goods, where turnover grew by 33% year on year. The rapid growth in the turnover of stores selling manufactured goods was related to the fact that shopping centres were closed in March last year due to Covid-related restrictions,” explained Johanna Linda Pihlak, an analyst at Statistics Estonia.
Among stores selling manufactured goods, the biggest growth at 87% was recorded in the turnover of stores selling textiles, clothing and footwear. Turnover increased by 56% in other specialised stores selling predominantly computers and their accessories, books, sports equipment, games, toys, etc. Retail sales of automotive fuel also increased by 22%. Turnover of grocery stores increased by only 1%.
In March 2021, there were significantly more purchases made from online stores. When compared to the same month this year the turnover of stores selling via mail order or via the internet decreased by 13%.
