Sales in Swiss Retail Collapse by Around 20% in April

Sales in Swiss retail collapsed by 20.6 percent in April 2020 compared to the same month last year. The non-food sector was particularly hard hit, with an average decline of a staggering 41 percent. This also has direct and indirect consequences for logistics.

(Bern) The retail sales figures, adjusted for sales and holiday effects, fell by 20.6% in April 2020 compared to the same month last year. Seasonally adjusted, nominal retail sales decreased by 14.8% compared to the previous month. The sectors were affected to varying degrees, as shown by the provisional results from the Federal Statistical Office (BFS).

Real retail sales, also adjusted for sales and holiday effects, fell by 19.9% in April 2020 compared to the previous year. The real development takes inflation into account. Compared to the previous month, real retail sales decreased seasonally adjusted by 14.7%.

Non-Food Sector with Significant Sales Losses

Adjusted for sales and holiday effects, retail trade excluding gas stations recorded a nominal sales decline of 19.5% (real –19.0%) in April 2020 compared to April 2019. This results in sales losses for gas stations of 33.8% (real –24.1%).

Empty shopping centers and stores were part of the everyday picture in Switzerland, Europe, and worldwide in March and April 2020. Photo: Pixabay Erich Westendarp

Retail trade in food, beverages, and tobacco recorded an increase in nominal sales of 4.0% (real +3.5%), while the non-food sector registered a nominal decline of 41.0% (real –40.2%). The sectors “other goods (clothing, pharmacies, watches, and jewelry)” (–55.8%; real –55.5%) and “other household appliances, textiles, DIY, and home furnishings” (–45.9%; real –44.9%) were the most affected by the crisis. In contrast, positive sales figures were reported by the sectors “market stalls, mail order, and online trade” (+22.2%; real +23.0%) and “information and communication technology devices” (+3.9%; real +12.1%).

Seasonally adjusted, retail trade excluding gas stations recorded a nominal sales decline of 14.9% (real –14.8%) in April compared to the previous month. Retail trade in food, beverages, and tobacco recorded a nominal sales decline of 4.5% (real –5.0%). The non-food sector registered a nominal decline of 28.0% (real –27.6%).

Photo: Pixabay Ranjat M

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