Retail started the year well

According to the raw and calendar adjusted data, retail sales at unchanged prices increased by 7.5 percent year-on-year in January – according to the first estimate of the Central Statistical Office (KSH). Retail sales have not increased at a higher rate for almost two years ago, since February 2016.

Retail sales of food and mixed food stores grew by 4.4 percent, which is a 1.5 years record. The sales of non-food stores were 11.6 percent higher than in the previous year – the highest growth since last September. Fuel consumption increased by 8.1 percent, compared to the first month of 2017. (MTI)