Riga, 29.04.2024. In March 2024, compared to March 2023, retail turnover increased by 2.8%, according to calendar-adjusted data compiled by the Central Statistics Office (CSB) at comparable prices. Retail sales of food products increased by 5.0%. The volume of retail sales of non-food products, excluding the retail sale of motor fuel, decreased by 1.7%, motor fuel – increased by 11.9%.
Compared to March 2023, the most significant increase in turnover was in the retail sale of clothing, footwear and leather goods (by 19.0%), in the retail sale of information and communication technology equipment in specialized stores (by 8.5%) and in the retail sale of pharmaceutical and medical goods (by 6 .1 %). The decrease in turnover was in non-specialized stores, where mostly non-food goods are sold (by 24.9%), and it was affected by the change in the type of basic economic activity of individual companies, as well as in the retail sale of metal products, tools, building materials and plumbing (by 15.3%) and retail sale in stalls and in the markets (by 9.4 %).
The total turnover of retail enterprises in actual prices, excluding the effect of calendar days, increased by 3.9%.
In March 2024, compared to February, according to seasonally adjusted data, in comparable prices, the turnover of retail enterprises increased by 1.0%. Retail sales of food products decreased by 1.4%. The volume of retail sales of non-food products, excluding retail sales of motor fuel, decreased by 1.0%, retail sales of motor fuel increased by 11.1%.
Compared to the previous month, the most significant increase in turnover was in the retail trade of cultural goods and leisure goods (by 3.3%) and clothing, footwear and leather goods (by 2.3%). The biggest drop in turnover was in the retail trade of pharmaceutical and medical goods (by 3.2%), metal products, tools, building materials and plumbing (by 2.6%) and household electrical appliances (by 2.2%).
In March 2024, compared to February, the total turnover of retail enterprises in actual prices, without taking seasonality into account, increased by 14.1%.
More information on seasonally adjusted, calendar adjusted and unadjusted retail turnover indices is available on the official statistics portal “Trade and service statistics”.
The published data may be refined in the coming months if additional information is obtained from the companies.
Central Statistical Office
