Index of wholesale and retail sales, April 2001

The volume index decreased 1.9 per cent from April last year to April this year. The value of retail sales increased 0.9 per cent and the price index rose 3.2 per cent in the same period. Retail sales figures exclude motor vehicles and petrol. The Seasonally adjusted index of retail sales decreased 0.9 per cent from March 2001 to April 2001.

Sales of pharmaceutical and medical goods, cosmetics and toilet articles increased 7.8 per cent from April 2000 to April 2001. Retail sale of new goods in specialised stores increased 1.4 per cent. This sector includes clothing, shoes, electrical goods, furniture and building materials. Retail sales in non-specialised stores, which mainly include grocery stores, increased 0.4 per cent. Retail sale of food, beverages and tobacco in specialised stores decreased 3.9 per cent in April.