Tirana, June 22. According to data released from the Albanian Institute of Statistics (INSTAT), the retail trade index, which analyzes and explains the development in turnover within different sectors of the retail trade, reached 160.5 percent during the first quarter of 2008 compared to 2005. Compared to the same period last year, the retail trade index increased by 25.2 percent during the first quarter of 2008. The first quarter was positive, even compared to the last quarter of 2007 which included Christmas and New Year’s Day. During the first quarter of 2008, the retail trade index increased by 4.6 percent compared to the last quarter of 2007.
The boost to the retail trade index came from the classification “Books, newspaper, stationary in specialized stores”. The retail index for this subgroup increased by some 40.1 percent compared to last quarter of 2007.
The retail trade index for the group “Mixed retail goods excluding Food, beverages, and tobacco in non-specialized stores” increased by 35.5 percent during the first quarter compared to the previous quarter. Just during March 2008, figures show the retail trade index for this subgroup increased by 19.4 percent compared to February 2008.
The retail trade index for the group “Sale and repair of vehicles”, was virtually unchanged compared to the previous quarter. Compared to 2005, the retail trade index for the group “Sale and repair of vehicles” jumped to 157.4 percent, only 0.5 percent more than during the same period in 2007.
The employment index in “Retail trade” during the first quarter reached 173 percent compared to 2005. It also increased by 10.8 percent compared to the same period in the previous year.
Can it be true?
According to data from INSTAT, the retail trade index for the subgroup “Retail sale of automotive fuel” part of the group “Sale and repair of vehicles”, fell during the first quarter of 2008 by 5.8 percent compared to the last quarter of 2007. Just during March 2008, the retail trade index for the subgroup “Retail sale of automotive fuel” fell by 13.4 percent compared to February 2008.
Apparently Albanians, well known for their ability to endure hardships, are feeling the effects of the increased fuel prices.
