Total retail trade turnover rose by 4.4% y/y at constant prices in August, showed calendar adjusted data released by Latvia’s Central Statistical Bureau (CSB) on September 29. 

Turnover of retail trade in food products grew by 4.1%. Retail trade in non-food products (except for retail sale of automotive fuel) increased by 2.0%, but turnover of retail sale of automotive fuel was up by 11.3%.

As compared to August 2019, the most notable turnover growth was registered in retail sales of electrical household appliances in specialised stores (of 26.0%), retail sales of cultural and recreation goods (11.2%) and retail sales in non-specialised stores selling mainly non-food products (9.5%). A significant turnover drop was registered in retail sales via mail order houses or via the internet (of 31.3%), which was affected by the change of registration country of one of the leading participants of the sector. Retail trade data are compiled only on enterprises registered in Latvia. In turn, retail sale in stalls or markets decreased by 14.4%.

Compared to July, in August 2020, the total turnover of retail trade enterprises rose by 0.9%, according to seasonally adjusted data at constant prices. Turnover of retail trade in food products grew by 1.4%. Retail trade in non-food products (except for retail sale of automotive fuel) decreased by 0.1%, but turnover of retail sale of automotive fuel increased by 2.6%.

As compared to the previous month, the largest turnover growth was registered in retail sales of clothing, footwear and leather goods (of 4.7%), retail sales in non-specialised stores selling mainly non-food products (3.9%) and retail sales of electrical household appliances in specialised stores (2.6%). The largest turnover drop was registered in retail sales via mail order houses or via the internet (of 9.8%) and retail sales in stalls or markets (4.2%).

Compared to July, in August 2020 the total retail trade turnover at current prices (not taking into account seasonality) decreased by 0.7%.