Ljubljana - Real retail turnover was markedly higher in October both on a monthly and annual basis, the Statistics Office said on Monday. The increase was mainly due to a high turnover from motor fuels, which almost doubled on a year-on-year basis.

Real retail sales were 13% higher in October compared to September, as revenues from motor fuels increased by 32.4%, while all the other retail trade activities together saw an increase of only 1.2%, said the Statistical Office.

Retailers sold 34.3% more goods and services last month compared to October 2020, as the year-on-year growth was also driven by a 97.2% increase in revenues in the motor fuels trade. Compared to October 2019, total retail turnover was 20.1% higher in October this year.

In the first ten months of 2021 combined, real retail sales were up 14% compared to the same period in 2020, and up 3.7% compared to 2019. Year-on-year growth was the most significant in motor fuels (21.1%), followed by non-food (12.4%) and food sales (7.9%).