In May 2008 growth in retail and wholesale trade and transport was under the previous months’ level but still high
In May, 2008 retail sales in trading companies employing more than 9 people (in constant prices) were 11.2% above the May 2007 figure (15.9% in January, 19.2% in February, 11.7% in March, 14% in April). After five months of this year retail sales were 14% above the corresponding period of 2007. Rising sales were confirmed by all retailers, the highest rise from January to May of this year noted in the furniture, radio/TV and household branches. Also up in this period were auto, motorcycle and related spare-part sales (by 22.2%). Sales of pharmaceuticals, cosmetics and orthopaedic gear rose 16%, fuel (solid, liquid and gaseous) almost 9%. Food, beverage and tobacco sales rose 4.1%.
In May 2008 wholesale sales in trading companies employing more than 9 people (in current prices) were 5.8% above May 2007, which confirms a growth slowdown against previous months.

In May 2008 sales of transport services in companies employing more than 9 people (in constant prices) were 0.4% above May 2007. After five months of this year transport sales were up 3% against the corresponding period of 2007. Also on the rise were road and air freighting. Sales sank in rail, pipeline, inland water and sea transport.

In June 2008 overall retail trade assessments were slightly less positive than in May due to less favourable sales and financial forecasts for companies
In June 2008, 24% of the polled companies confirmed that their markets were rising, 14% noted a slump in business. As in May, 5.2% claimed to encounter no business barriers. For the remaining pollees the biggest hindrances were competition (70%), labour costs (63%), and high taxes (54%). No major change in the influence such barriers have on business was noted against June 2007 (customer payment troubles lost most and problems with high interest gained most in importance).
Most of the polled companies (69%) finance their operations from their own funds, 27% use bank loans and 25% choose open account.
As in earlier months, assessments of the retail sector differ from branch to branch. Overall conditions were best on the furniture, radio/TV, household and auto markets, also on the rise were sales of textiles, clothing, footwear and food.
June 2008 was a consecutive good month for companies providing financial services, 58% reporting a rise in business and only 1% a drop. Running assessments and forecasts for the financial service market are very optimistic, with a rise in prices and employment in this sector expected in coming months.

In June 2008 the outlook in the transport, warehousing and communications sectors was less optimistic than in the previous month, 30% of the polled companies declaring improvement and 13% suffered a drop in business. Demand on these markets may rise at a slower pace in the near future, which will translate into smaller sales and earnings. Despite this an employment rise is expected in all three. June witnessed a slight drop in service prices, which are, however, expected to rise again in coming months.
The outlook in the real estate, rental, education and business services sectors in June 2008 was similar to the previous month’s, with forecasts of a slight drop in demand for such services. Some 23% of the polled companies reported rising business, only 6% a drop. Managers predicted a rise in service prices, although at a slower pace than predicted earlier.
In June 2008 the outlook in the hotel and restaurant sector was worse than in earlier months, 25% of the polled companies reporting an improvement in business conditions and 12% a deterioration. This is the effect of falling demand, sales and financial forecasts. June 2008 also saw a slower rise in prices in these branches.