THE HAGUE, 03/11/06 - Dutch retailers boosted their turnover by 9.7 percent in August from the same month last year. Retail prices were 1.7 percent higher while the volume of sales rose by nearly 8 percent.

Shops in the non-food sector in particular booked large sales increases. Their turnover was more than 11 percent higher. Prices rose by 1.7 percent, while the volume of sales was 9.4 percent larger. Releasing the figures yesterday, the Central Bureau for Statistics (CBS) said the cold and wet weather in August had a positive effect in the non-food sector.

Shops selling clothes did particularly good business. Their turnover rose by 20 percent in August. Stores retailing home furnishings also realised a substantial increase in turnover. The only sector with a lower turnover than last year was shops selling household items.

Shops in the food sector achieved nearly 7 percent more turnover than in August last year. Supermarkets did especially well in this sector, which they dominate. Prices in the food sector were 1.6 percent higher, while the volume of turnover grew by 5 percent.