Retail still flying low

Retail sales continued to decline in November, according to KSH’s quick report. Volume sales of retail stores were down by 5 percent in the first eleven months of 2009 and by 7.8 percent in November, compared to the same period in 2008. Domestic retail network and mail order companies generated sales of HUF 617.5 billion in November. Food and food type products represented 45 percent of retail sales; the turnover of food stores decreased by 4 percent in the first eleven months of 2009 and by 6.6 percent in November. In November 2009, hypermarkets, supermarkets and small shops sold 7 percent less, in terms of volume, compared with November 2008.