Retail sales up in April: +0,4% month on month and +2,5% year on year

In April 2011, the seasonally adjusted index of retail sales (current value which incorporates the dynamics of quantities and prices) increased by 2011% compared to March 0,4. In the average of the February-April 2011 quarter, Istat states in a note, the index recorded a zero change compared to the previous three months. In comparison with March 2011, sales of food products increased by 0,8% and those of non-food products by 0,2%. Compared to April 2010, the raw index shows a positive change of 2,5%. Sales of food products increased, in trend terms, by 4,7% and those of non-food products by 1,5%. In comparison with the month of April 2010, positive changes of 4,2% are recorded for sales of large-scale distribution and 1,3% for those of companies operating on small surfaces. In the first four months of 2011, compared to the same period in 2010, the raw index shows a decrease of 0,1%. Sales of food products increased by 0,4% and those of non-food products decreased by 0,3%.