Retail sales growth fall in June

04 Jul '08

3 min read

The value of the retail trade confidence indicator slightly decreased (minus 2) in relation to May, what is mostly a result of negative evaluations of the expected business situation.

48% of respondents (weighted by volume of turnovers) consider the current business situationto be favourable and 45% of respondents to be normal to the season. The balance (after seasonal adjustment of data) rose 2 p. p. compared to the previous month.

Respondents of enterprises employing fewer than 10 people and 100 people and more mostly assessed the current business situation positively, by regions - mostly respondent of the region of Banská Bystrica. The balance of the stock did not change compared with May, 88% of respondents (weighted by turnover) consider it to be normal and 3% to be insufficient.

Respondents increase the requirements on suppliers - the total business balance is up 14 p. p. in relation to May. Mostly respondents of the sector of sale of food, beverages, tobacco and respondents of other retail trade indicate a rise. Relatively the highest percentage of respondents, who will decrease the requirement on suppliers, is from the sector of large multiple shops.

Respondents are more cautious in the assessment of the expected business situation. In spite of the fact that more than a half expects improving, the total business balance decreased 8 p. p. in relation to the pervious month after seasonality adjustment of data.

The employment should increase in all sectors of retail sale. The total increase in employment moderated in June, because of a rise in percentage of companies with stable number of employees.

Respondents expect slighter rise in the development of the retail prices than in the past months, when the total business balance is 7 p. p. lower than in May. 44% of respondents (weighted by turnovers) indicate price rises and 7% price decreases.

Respondents included primarily to factors limiting the growth of retail sale competition (41%) that is the most considerable factor in all regions and sectors except sale of textile, clothing, footwear and large multiple shops (supermarkets, hypermarkets), where the most significant factor is insufficient demand.

Shortage of qualified labour force (14%) represents the second place and is the most significant limiting factor in all sectors except sale of large multiple shops and other retail trade. High operation costs becomes a significant limiting factor, 13% of respondents report them as limiting factor.

The percentage of respondents having no problems with turnover increase is relatively high (13%). There are mostly respondents in the branch of other retail trade and in the region of Bratislava by regions.

Statistical Office of the SR

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