In March, turnover in the non-food sector was up by 1% year-on-year. The volume of sales (adjusted for price changes) fell by 1.4% compared to the same month last year. Turnover growth in the non-food sector is mainly due to the fact that turnover was at a low level in March 2020, the first month in which measures against the spread of coronavirus came into effect. On balance, the non-food sector in particular was affected substantially by this. Compared to March 2019, the turnover of non-food shops was over 7% lower in March 2021.

In March 2021, clothes shops and shops selling footwear and leather products realised considerably higher turnover year-on-year, but in March 2020 these shops suffered unprecedented turnover losses. The growth in March 2021 did not make up for the loss in March 2020. Turnover of shops selling clothes and shoes was significantly lower in March 2021 than in March 2019.

Turnover of shops selling recreational goods and shops selling furniture and home furnishings was also higher in March 2021 than twelve months previously. These stores also suffered major turnover losses in March 2020. Relative to March 2019, their turnover was higher as well. Shops selling consumer electronics and white goods, shops selling DIY products, kitchens and flooring and shops selling personal care products realised substantial turnover growth in March 2020 but faced losses in March 2021. Compared to March 2019, these shops did record an increase.

Shops selling food, beverages and tobacco achieved 1.6% less turnover in March 2021 than in March 2020. The volume of sales decreased by 1.5%. Turnover of supermarkets was 2% lower year-on-year, while turnover of specialist shops grew by 1.2%. Compared to the non-food sector, the opposite is true for the food sector. Turnover was at a high level in March 2020. Compared to March 2019, the food sector realised 10.5% higher turnover.

In March 2021, online shops recorded 68.3% more turnover than in the same month last year. Webshops recorded a turnover increase of 50.5%; their core activity is selling goods and services over the internet. Multi-channel retailers (retailers selling goods and services over the internet as a side activity) achieved 91.4%higher turnover in online sales.