Index of wholesale and retail sales, June 2004

Retail sales figures exclude motor vehicles and petrol.

June this year has two working days more than June last year. It is difficult to estimate seasonally adjusted numbers in May and June because off moveable holydays.

The volume index of retail sales increased by 8.4 per cent in June compared with June last year. The average volume index for the first six month this year increased by 4.8 percent compared with the same period last year.

The value index rose by 8.8 per cent

The value index of retail sales increased by 8.8 in June compared with June last year. The value index of other retail sale of new goods in specialized stores increased by 11.9 per cent during this period. Retail sales of leisure boats, electrical goods, furniture and building materials contribute to a strong increase in this sector. The value index of retail sale not in stores and retail sale of food, beverages and tobacco in specialized stores increased by 12.1 and 12 per cent respectively in June compared with June last year. Retail sale of pharmaceutical and medical goods, cosmetic and toilet articles increased by 11.0 per cent during this period. The value index of retail sales in non-specialized stores, which mainly include food stores, rose by 5.4 per cent in June compared with June last year.