Nominally, sales increased by 2.1 percent, and when adjusted for inflation (real), the increase was 0.5 percent, according to Statistics Austria. Sales in the food trade (including beverages and tobacco products) rose significantly by 4.3 percent (real: 1.7 percent), while the increase in non-food items was smaller at 1.4 percent (real: 0.2 percent).

After a decline in real sales in the first half of the year, retail trade was able to gain momentum, especially towards the end of the year. "In the 4th quarter, retail sales increased by 3.2 percent nominally compared to the last quarter of 2023, with an inflation-adjusted increase of 2.5 percent. As a result, the overall balance for the entire year 2024 is slightly positive," said Statistics Austria Director General Tobias Thomas, according to a press release on Thursday. In the fourth quarter alone, the food trade achieved a sales increase of 5.5 (real: 3.4) percent compared to the same period last year, while the non-food trade recorded a growth of 3.1 (real: 2.7) percent.

Final Data for November, Retail Sales Plus 4.1 Percent

Final data is available for November. In that month, retail sales increased by 4.1 (real: 3.3) percent. In other trade sectors, however, things did not go as well. Wholesale trade recorded a sales decrease of 4.2 percent compared to the same month last year, and in the motor vehicle trade and repair sector, there was a decline of 2.4 percent. Sales for the entire trade sector fell by 1.3 (real: 3.1) percent in November.

Service companies, on the other hand, recorded a nominal sales increase of 1.6 percent in November. The highest sales increases were achieved in the accommodation and gastronomy sectors with 7.9 percent and in transport with an increase of 4.3 percent, according to the statistics.

(APA/Red)

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