Index of wholesale and retail sales, April 2004

The seasonally adjusted volume index has been adjusted for Easter. However, there is considerable uncertainty in the model used for this purpose, and consequently the seasonally adjusted indices for March and April should be treated with some caution.

Retail sales figures exclude motor vehicles and petrol.

The volume index of retail sales rose by 4.2 per cent in April 2004 compared with April last year. The volume sales of new goods in specialized stores increased by 7.5 per cent. Sales of new goods in specialized stores include clothing, shoes, electrical goods, furniture and building materials. Retail sales of pharmaceutical and medical goods, cosmetics and toiletries increased by 3.1 per cent. The volume index of retail sales of food, beverages and tobacco in specialized stores increased by 2.0 per cent. In non-specialized stores, which mainly include food stores, the volume sales rose by 1.6 per cent.

Increased sales of footwear and clothing

The retail sales value indices of footwear and clothing increased by 13.1 and 11.6 respectively in April 2004 compared with April last year. The value index of retail sales of food, beverages and tobacco in specialized stores increased by 6.1 per cent. In non-specialized stores, which mainly include food stores, the value index rose by 4.1 per cent. Retail sales of pharmaceutical and medical goods, cosmetics and toiletries increased by 1.1 per cent. The value index of retail sales increased by 4.1 per cent in April 2004 compared with April 2003.

New calculation method for the volume index of retail sales

Statistics Norway has changed the calculation method for the volume index of retail sales. For two-digit and three-digit level classes the index is now calculated as a weighted total of the volume indices on four-digit level with reference year values as weights. The volume indices on two-digit and three-digit level were previously calculated by direct deflation of the value indices and this is still the case for the volume indices on four-digit level. The revised method is in line with underlying principles of the volume indices in the index of commodity consumption.

Revised volume figures have been calculated back to January 2002. The figures show a somewhat stronger growth than previous figures, as the average annual volume growth for total retail sales in 2002 and 2003 is 0.3 per cent and 0.4 per cent higher than previously. A comparison of the seasonally adjusted volume index for total retail sales based on the two calculation methods is provided in a separate figure.

The volume figures for household consumption in the quarterly national accounts and the index of commodity consumption are not affected by the revised index of retail sales calculations.