April retail trade sales up

Revised figures show that retail sales have been in positive territory since January this year, indicating that the demand-side of the economy has been on the mend.

Initial figures had shown a 1.5% contraction in retail sales in January, which has now been revised upwards to 0.4%.

The 1.3% decline in retail sales recorded in February was revised upwards to 0.8% while the 1% increase recorded in March was revised upwards to 2.7%.

Retail trade sales, at current prices, for April 2010 increased 5.4% compared with April 2009, while sales for the corresponding period in 2009 increased by 4.1%, Stats SA said.

Seasonally adjusted retail trade sales, at constant 2008 prices, for the quarter ended April reflected an increase of 1.8% compared with the three months ended January 2010.

Retail trade sales, at constant 2008 prices, for the three months ended April 2010 reflected an increase of 2.2% compared with the three months ended April 2009, while sales for the corresponding period in 2009 decreased by 5.1%.

The main contributors to the 2.2% increase were retailers in textiles, clothing, footwear and leather goods (7.8% and contributing 1.4 percentage points) and general dealers (2.0% and contributing 0.8 of a percentage point).

Retail trade sales, at current prices, for the quarter ended April 2010 compared with the quarter ended April 2009 increased by 5.2%.

The main contributors to this increase were general dealers (6.2% and contributing 2.5 percentage points) and retailers in textiles, clothing, footwear and leather goods (9.3% and contributing 1.7 percentage points.)