Retail sales up by 2.5% y-o-y in January

2010-02-25

Retail sales at current prices rose by 2.5% y-o-y in January, according to data from the Central Statistical Office (GUS). The result was below market expectations, which averaged 4.7% y-o-y.
In comparison with the corresponding period of 2009, sales were up in five of the main branch specialisations. The highest increase was noted in sales of fuels and of pharmaceuticals, cosmetics and orthopaedic equipment (up by 18.4% y-o-y and 18.3% y-o-y, respectively). Double-digit growth was also observed in “other sales at non-specialist retail stores” (up by 11.2% y-o-y). Sales of textiles, clothing and footwear jumped by 6.7% y-o-y, whereas newspapers, books and other sales at specialist stores were up by 3.1% y-o-y.
On the other hand, sales of furniture, radio, TV and household appliances fell by 5.7% y-o-y, sales of food, beverages and tobacco products were down by 3.3% y-o-y, and of motor vehicles, motor cycles and parts by 2.4% y-o-y.
In 2009 retail sales at current prices climbed by 4.3% y-o-y.