Growth in retail sales accelerated to some extent

According to Statistics Estonia, in October 2013 compared to October of the previous year, the retail sales of goods of retail trade enterprises increased 7% at constant prices. In September the retail sales increased 4% compared to the same month of the previous year, while in October the retail sales growth accelerated to some extent.

In October 2013, the retail sales of goods of retail trade enterprises were 395.1 million euros, which was 307 euros per inhabitant. The retail sales growth rate in stores selling manufactured goods accelerated compared to the previous months. While in August and September, the retail sales of those stores increased 9% compared to the same period of the previous year, then in October the growth was 13%. The sales increased in most economic activities. Only in non-specialised stores selling predominantly industrial goods (e.g. department stores) were the retail sales 3% smaller than in October of the previous year. The retail sales of stores selling second-hand goods and non-store retail sale (stalls, markets, direct sale) increased the most, by more than half (67%) compared to October of the previous year. The sales increase in the stores of this economic activity does not significantly influence the retail sales of goods, because the share of this economic activity is very small – 1.9% in October 2013. In October, a higher than average increase occurred in retail sales via mail order or the Internet (a growth of 28%), in stores selling household goods and appliances, hardware and building materials (a growth of 22%) and in other specialised stores, such as stores selling computers and their accessories, photography supplies, books, sports equipment, games and toys (a growth of 12%).

The retail sales in grocery stores increased 4% compared to October of the previous year, compared with the previous months the retail sales growth rate accelerated to some extent. The growth in the retail sales of these stores was influenced by the discount sales campaigns that took place in October, also by the lower reference base of the previous year and by the deceleration in the price increase of food products. While in September, the annual price increase of food products was 2.7%, then in October it was 1.7%.

The retail sales of automotive fuel increased 2% at constant prices compared to October 2012.

Compared to the previous month, in October the retail sales in retail trade enterprises increased 6% at constant prices. According to the seasonally and working-day adjusted data, the retail sales increased 1%. During the ten months (January–October) of 2013, the retail sales in retail trade enterprises increased 5% at constant prices compared to the corresponding period of the previous year.

In October, the turnover of retail trade enterprises was 475.3 million euros, out of which the retail sales of goods accounted for 83%. Compared to October 2012, the turnover increased by 5% at current prices. Compared to the previous month, this indicator increased 6%.

Retail sales volume index of retail trade enterprises and its trend, January 2003 – October 2013 (2010 = 100)

 

Source: Statistics Estonia

In October industrial production increased

According to Statistics Estonia, in October 2013, the production of industrial enterprises increased by 7% compared to October of the previous year. The production exceeded the volume of the previous year in most of the branches of industry.

In August the production in manufacturing remained on the level of 2012 and in September the production decreased 2%, whereas in October the production increased 6% compared to October of the previous year. Among the branches of industry holding larger shares, the production grew in the manufacture of food, wood, metal and chemical products and electrical equipment. The volume of production fell in the manufacture of electronic products and machinery and equipment.

In October, 70% of the whole production of manufacturing was sold on the external market. The export sales of manufacturing rose 5% compared to October 2012, while domestic sales increased 6%.

In October 2013 compared to September, the seasonally adjusted total industrial production increased by 1%; manufacturing production grew 4%.

Compared to October 2012, the production of electricity increased by 12%, while the production of heat fell by 6%.

The volume index and trend of production in manufacturing, January 2004 – October 2013 (2010 = 100)

 

Read more from Statistics Estonia

Estonian Minister: EU digital single market must be filled with real content

The Estonian minister of economy and communications, Juhan Parts, said in a political discussion between ministers in the European Competitiveness Council on Monday that the goal of the European Union for 2014 must be continuous simplification of the business environment and favoring of growth in productivity.

“Only in such manner can Europe be competitive compared with the rest of the world under conditions where the population is ageing and and workforce is becoming scarcer and scarcer,” Parts said according to spokespeople.

It’s essential on the European level to achieve progress in improving the operating environment and reducing the burden for the entrepreneur. “Functioning of the digital single market without setbacks is one of the preconditions for the European Union’s international competitiveness and Estonia supports the goal to set up a functioning digital single market by 2015,” the minister said.

According to Parts, the digital single market must be filled also with real contents, which requires cross-border taking into use of the e-ID and trust services, among other things. Parts described as important the principle that institutions of the public sector will ask a person for information only once and that this principle was implemented across the whole EU. The European Commission on Nov. 13 presented its annual report on the state of affairs in integration of the market and how a single market is functioning in different member states. Consumers see the Estonian market as functioning very well and Estonia is ranked in a high third position among EU member states.

The report commends Estonia for already having made the Points of Single Contact (PSCs) a part of its integrated e-government structures, and the existence of a functioning strategy on cyber security. At the same time, the report mentions a lower level of use of e-commerce in Estonia compared with the EU average and highlights the need to make progress as regards the electricity and gas market where a single supplier still dominates.

The analysis of progress is a contribution to the EU Annual Growth Survey 2014, which will be discussed by national ministers in the Council and endorsed by EU leaders at their March 2014 summit.

Source: Estonian Review / BNS

Finland follows Estonia’s footsteps in e-governance

The Estonian national ID card is used for logging into government services such as filing taxes online.

The prime ministers of Estonia and Finland, Andrus Ansip and Jyrki Katainen, will meet later this month to discuss Finland’s plans to adopt the X-Road system, the “backbone” data exchange layer that connects the different databases used by Estonia’s various e-services.

It was reported in September that Finnish officials were planning to start using the X-Road system, which was introduced in Estonia in 2001 and uses an open source software. Estonian officials hope that getting Finland on board will open a window for promoting e-services elsewhere in the EU.

The Estonian prime minister has been urging European leaders to transition major government activities to electronic systems. Ansip has said the reforms would improve data sharing and save millions of euros by cutting down on paperwork.

Source: Estonian Review / ERR