Retail sales rise sharply in March
Swiss retailers sold significantly more in March compared with the same month a year ago. This is mainly due to the low sales figure in March 2020, when the first COVID-19 containment measures were implemented.
Retail sales in Switzerland rose in March by 21.5 percent year-on-year after adjustment for calendar effects, the Federal Statistical Office FSO announced on Friday on the basis of provisional figures. Adjusted for prices, i.e. in real terms, the increase was slightly higher at 22.6 percent.
The figures for the previous month also look similarly strong. Seasonally adjusted, sales rose by 21.9 percent in nominal terms compared with February 2021, and adjusted for price effects (in real terms) they climbed by 22.1 percent.
All sectors posted strong growth, led by household appliances, textiles, DIY and home furnishings with a nominal increase of 88.5 percent. This was followed by "information and communication technology equipment" (+33.8%).
However, "other goods (clothing, pharmacies, watches and jewelry)" were also strong, up 30.7 percent. "Publishing products, sports equipment and toys" (+29.7%) and "Market stalls, mail order and internet trade" (+24.5%) also posted strong gains. (SDA)
