Turkey: Retail sales volume up in August

By Gokhan Ergocun

ISTANBUL (AA) - Turkey’s retail sales volume with constant prices increased by 5.8% year-on-year in August, according to official figures released on Tuesday.

During the month, the highest annual increase was posted by non-food products -- except automotive fuel -- with 7.2%, the Turkish Statistical Institute (TurkStat) said.

The volume of food-drink-tobacco sales increased by 5.2% while automotive fuel sales rose by 3.3% in August.

Among non-food indices, the highest increase was seen in electronic goods and furniture sales with 19%, while computers, books, telecommunications equipment sales expanded by 16.8% and medical goods and cosmetic sales increased by 11% in August, year-on-year.

The volume of textile, clothing and footwear sales dropped by 17.7% in August.

Meanwhile, sales by mail orders and internet climbed 92.6% year-on-year in August.

Retail sales volume was also up by 1.4% in August on a monthly basis.

- Retail turnover on rise in August

TurkStat also revealed that the calendar-adjusted retail turnover with current prices jumped 18.2% in August, on a yearly basis.

"In the same month food, drinks and tobacco sales increased by 17.6%, non-food (except automotive fuel) sales increased by 23.8%, automotive fuel sales increased by 5.4%," it added.