Lately the Dutch have been more careful about buying in stores. In supermarkets and clothing stores, for example, we often keep our hands in our purse strings. High prices are the only way to keep sales stable in many stores.
Total retail sales were 4.6 percent higher last month than in the previous twelve months. But the number of products sold fell sharply by 5.8 percent. This is evidenced by the CBS Census Bureau’s numbers for May on Friday.
Food stores such as supermarkets, bakers and butchers sold an average of 4.2 percent less last month than a year earlier. However, trading volume increased by 8.4 percent. This is because the prices are much higher than last year. For example, groceries are now 12.6 percent more expensive than they were a year ago.
We also spend less in non-food and beverage stores. In so-called non-food stores, such as furniture sellers, shoe stores and electronics stores, we bought 7.5 percent fewer items compared to last year.
Turnover increased slightly due to higher prices. The exceptions to this are clothing stores and DIY stores. There, even high prices could not prevent a contraction in turnover.
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