Retail sales in June were 0.7 per cent lower than in June 2023, reports CBS. Sales volume was 1.0 per cent lower. Non-food sales (including non-store retail) grew by 0.2 per cent, while food sales (food and beverage shops) shrank by 2.2 per cent. Online turnover was 2.2 per cent higher than a year earlier.
This is the first time in over 3 years that retail sales were lower than in the same period a year earlier. There had been a positive balance in every month since February 2021 (-2.8 per cent).
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Interior market remains tough
Non-food sales (including retail non-retail) grew 0.2 per cent in June 2024. Volume (sales adjusted for price changes) was 0.9 per cent higher than a year earlier.
Furniture and home furnishing shops' sales fell 6.5 per cent compared to June 2023. DIY shops (including kitchens and flooring) saw sales fall 2 per cent.
Online 2.2 per cent more turnover
Online sales in June were 2.2 per cent higher than in June 2023. Online shops (whose main activity is selling via the internet) recorded 9.2 per cent more turnover. Online sales of shops whose sales via the internet are a secondary activity (multi-channelers) were 6.1 per cent lower.
Online sales of other non-food and food and drug shops were higher in June 2024 than in June 2023. Online sales of clothing shops were lower than a year earlier.