Measured in real terms (constant 2015 prices), retail trade sales increased by 1,1% year-on-year in February 2019. The largest annual growth rates were recorded for retailers in:

• household furniture, appliances and equipment (7,4%); and
• textiles, clothing, footwear and leather goods (4,4%).

The main contributors to the 1,1% increase were:

• retailers in textiles, clothing, footwear and leather goods (contributing 0,7 of a percentage point); and
• general dealers (contributing 0,5 of a percentage point).

Seasonally adjusted retail trade sales increased by 0,5% in February 2019 compared with January 2019. This followed month-on-month changes of 1,6% in January 2019 and -5,2% in December 2018. In the three months ended February 2019, seasonally adjusted retail trade sales decreased by 1,8% compared with the previous three months.

Retail trade sales showed no growth between the three months ended February 2018 and the three months ended February 2019. Retailers in hardware, paint and glass decreased by 3,0% (contributing -0,2 of a percentage point) while retailers in household furniture, appliances and equipment increased by 2,4% (contributing 0,1 of a percentage point).