The Turnover Value Index of Retail Trade for March 2024 increased by 5.5% compared to the corresponding month of the previous year, for the same month, the Turnover Volume Index of Retail Trade increased by 5.2% compared to the corresponding month of the previous year, the Statistical Service said in a statement on Thursday.

It added that for the January-March 2024 period, the Value Index is estimated to have recorded an increase of 5.4% and the Volume Index an increase of 4.9% compared to the same period of 2023.

According to the Service, the largest percentage increase in the Retail Trade Turnover Value Index compared to March 2023 was recorded in the categories of food, beverages and tobacco in specialised stores (13.2%), pharmaceuticals and orthopedic goods, cosmetics (11.8%) and educational and recreational equipment (10.5%), while on the contrary, the largest decrease was recorded in non-store retail trade (-13.4%).

Similarly, the largest percentage increase in the Retail Trade Turnover Index compared to March 2023 was recorded in the categories of Educational and recreational equipment (10.5%), food, beverages and tobacco in specialised stores (10.4%) and pharmaceuticals, orthopedic goods and cosmetics (9.7%), while the largest decrease was also recorded in this case in the non-store retail trade (-13.4%).