(ANSA) - ROME, MAY 07 - Retail sales in March 2021 see "a substantial economic stagnation". Istatregisters a decrease of 0.1% in value compared to February and a 0.1% increase in volume. In the first quarter as a whole, retail sales increased by 0.2% in value and decreased by 0.3% in volume compared to the previous quarter. From March 2020, the first month of lockdown, there is "a very strong trend increase that reflects the particularly depressed levels" of that month, explains Istat, with sales increases of 22.9% in value and 23.5% in volume. record for almost all non-food products.
Compared to March 2020 non-food goods that recorded a jump of 49.7% in value and 50.3% in volume while; growth, albeit to a lesser extent, also in sales of foodstuffs (+ 3.7% in value and volume). Compared to February 2021, on the other hand, there is a growth for foodstuffs (+ 1.9% in value and + 1.7% in volume) and a decrease for non-foodstuffs (-1.6% in value and -1.1% by volume).
Among non-food goods, in particular, sales of games, toys, sports and camping show + 110.7% on an annual basis and those of photo-optics and films, magnetic supports, musical instruments + 109.2%. Leading the ranking of increases were also footwear, leather and travel items (+94.2%), clothing and furs (+ 93.9%), followed by furniture and household appliances. For pharmaceutical products there was a smaller growth (+ 0.7%).
Sales grew in all distribution channels: large-scale distribution (+ 17.0%), companies operating in small areas (+ 27.8%) and sales outside of stores (+ 43.8%).
The rise of electronic commerce also continues (+ 39.9%).
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