The volume of retail trade in food, beverages and tobacco in specialty shops declined all of 8.8 per cent in September 1996 compared to September last year. Stores selling a broad range of goods saw sales drop by 4.3 per cent. Non-store retail trade rose by 11.4 per cent. The volume of retail sales of other new merchandise rose 2.6 per cent. Retail sales of pharmacy merchandise, nursing aids and appliances, cosmetics and toiletries increased by 1.4 per cent.
The volume of retail trade excluding motor vehicles and petrol went down 1.3 per cent in September compared to September last year. The price index edged upwards 0.9 per cent in the same period.
Increased trade so far this year
The volume index for retail trade excluding motor vehicles and petrol increased by 2.5 per cent in the first nine months of this year compared to the corresponding period last year. Non-store retail trade, retail sales of other new goods and retail trade in a broad range of goods rose respectively 6.4, 4. 9 and 1.5 per cent in the same period. Retail sales of food, beverages and tobacco in specialty shops dropped 2.8 per cent.
Weekly Bulletin issue no. 46, 1996