Spanish Retail Sales Growth Improves In August

Sep 27, 2007 - Spanish retail sales grew 4.3% year-on-year in constant prices in August, the statistical office INE said Thursday. Retail sales growth came in much higher than the 3.4% rise logged in July.

Sales of foodstuff rose 2.3%, while non-food product sales climbed 5.6%. Among non-food products, sales of personal goods increased 6.6% and sales of furniture and household equipment gained 1%. Other goods showed an improvement of 5.4% in retail sales.

The statistical office noted that August 2007 was not impacted by calendar effect as the month had the same number of working days as August 2006. Hence, the adjusted General Retail Trade Index at constant prices revealed a 4.3% increase.

In department stores, retail sales rose 2.4% on an annual basis in constant terms in August. Sales of foodstuff declined 1.1%, while sales of non-food products rose 4.6%.

The retail sector had 1.8% employment growth in August. Employment in department stores increased 2.1%.