Finnish grocery retail sales totalled €1.34 billion in October, representing growth of 0.9% compared to the same month last year, according to Päivittäistavarakauppa - the Finnish Grocery Trade Association.
Prices for food and non-alcoholic beverages decreased by 0.3% compared to September 2016, while prices for alcoholic beverages and tobacco increased by 3.6%.
Overall, grocery sales in Finland have risen by 1.6% in 2017 so far.
Retail Performance
In October, sales increased in grocery stores (+5.4%), large supermarkets (+2.5%) and hypermarkets (+1.5%).
However, sales were down in retail stores (-1.2%) and supermarkets (-7.3%), compared to the same month last year.
"The slowdown in sales in October may be seen as negative compared with the development in the early part of the year," said Kari Luoto, managing director of Päivittäistavarakauppa.
"Due to consumers' increased confidence in their own finances and the improving economic situation overall, however, we anticipate growing Christmas sales."
© 2017 European Supermarket Magazine – your source for the latest retail news. Article by Sarah Harford. Click subscribe to sign up to ESM: The European Supermarket Magazine.
