Mixed picture for online turnover in the first quarter

In the first quarter of 2023, the online turnover of retailers decreased by more than 1 percent compared to the same period a year earlier. Stores that sell both online and in physical stores recorded 10 percent less online turnover. Turnover at shops that only sell online was almost 6 percent higher.

Total retail sales in the first quarter of 2023 were almost 8 percent higher than in the same period a year earlier. This increase is due to higher prices. Volume (turnover corrected for price rises) was more than 3 percent lower. There were more bankruptcies in the retail sector than in the previous quarters, Statistics Netherlands reports on the basis of new quarterly retail figures.

Retail sales were higher than a year earlier for the eighth quarter in a row. However, from the second quarter of 2022, less was sold compared to a year earlier. The increase in turnover was due to higher prices from that quarter onwards.

Turnover in the food sector increased by 9 percent compared to a year earlier, but the volume of sales fell by 5 percent. Supermarkets in particular achieved a higher turnover. Specialty stores, such as butchers and cheese shops, also have a higher turnover (1 percent). Volume fell by 11 percent.

Turnover in the non-food sector increased by almost 8 percent compared to a year earlier. This was also due to higher prices. The volume of sales in the non-food sector fell by almost 1 percent. Do-it-yourself stores in particular sold less. The volume there was 11 percent smaller, as a result of which turnover was 3 percent lower than a year earlier.