Small format stores sales grow 3.7% in January

The sales in small format stores (up to 300 sqm) grew by 3.7 percent y/y in January and down by 12 percent m/m, the Polish Chamber of Commerce PIH said. “January is one of the worst months for retail, both in terms of the number of transactions and their value. Compared with December, when customers increase their spending in this format of stores in connection with the preparations for Christmas and New Year's Eve, in January there is a decline in the sales of almost all categories. This year, for example, the customers spent 20 percent less on vodka than in December, while sales of wine and chocolate dropped by 30 percent m/m,” the report said. The average value of a transaction in such stores amounted to PLN 14.07, down by 3 percent y/y and nearly 100 percent less m/m.