Retail sales grew beyond the expectations of experts

April retail sales growth have surpassed the expectations. According to experts annual growth can exceed last year's sales.

According to the communication of the Central Statistics Office (KSH) released on Wednesday, the volume of retail sales in April increased by 3.4 percent, compared to April 2012. According to the first estimates food sales increased by 3.3 percent, after nine months of decline. The volume of sales of non-food products remained on last April's level, but in the previous twelve months continuously declined on a year to year comparision. The fuel sales rose extremely in April, by 6.3 percent.

The National Retail Federation (OKSZ) highlighted in connection with the April increase in retail sales: the net earnings of employees rose above 4 percent in the first four months of the year, so real wages have risen. The lowest minimum wage earnings, and pensions have increased by more than 5 percent.

The OKSZ forecasts that this year in line with the prognosis, consumption in some areas can exceed last year's levels. (MTI)