In October 2008 growth in retail sales slowed compared to September 2008 and October 2007. In the third quarter the increase was 8%. Retail sales were higher by 5% year on year in October and by 11.1% year on year in the 10 months to October.

The slowdown in retail sales in October was due to weak results recorded by retailers selling motor vehicles (a drop in sales by 7.7%), solid, liquid and gaseous fuels (a drop by 4.6%), and food, beverages and tobacco products (a drop by 1.3%). In January-October all groups of retailers recorded a rise in sales because sales growth was very strong in the first part of the year. The lowest increase was noted by retailers selling food, beverages and tobacco products (2.7%). The highest increase in sales (39.6%) was noted by retailers selling clothes and footwear. Retailers selling furniture, radio and television equipment and household appliances recorded an increase of 29.5%. Other groups recording high sales were retailers selling press and books (21.2%), pharmaceuticals, cosmetics and orthopaedic equipment (16.4%), motor vehicles, motorcycles and parts (8.4%), and solid, liquid and gaseous fuels (4.4%).
In October 2008 wholesale sales (in current prices) by companies employing more than nine people increased by 5.4% compared to October 2007.
In October 2008 transport companies employing more than nine people recorded a decrease in sales in constant prices of 1.8% year on year. In the 10 months to October 2008 sales of transport services were higher by 0.3% year on year.


The use of information and communications technologies by businesses, households and individuals in 2008

In 2008 the share of Polish businesses using computers was 95%. The share of businesses and employees using computers with Internet access was respectively 93% and 26%. 58% of businesses had a local area network and 20% has a wireless local area network. Large and medium-sized businesses were more likely to use LAN, Intranet and Extranet than small businesses. In 2008 one in two businesses in Poland used an ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) information system. Such systems were used by 25% of medium-sized businesses and around 10% of small businesses.
CRM software used to collect, combine, process and analyse customer data may be operational or analytical. Software of the first type, used by 19% of Polish businesses, integrates business processes at the interface with the customer. Software of the second type, used by 12% of businesses, analyses customer data to acquire knowledge about the customers and possible ways to meet their needs.
In 2008, 59% of Polish businesses had broadband Internet access and one third used analogue modems. Almost all large companies (95%) and 53% of small businesses had broadband Internet access.
On-line public services are poorly developed in Poland. In 2007 Poland had the lowest e-government index of all EU countries. E-commerce is becoming increasingly popular in Poland as are e-invoices.
Surveys on ICT use by households and individuals show a rise in computer ownership, and Internet access and use levels. In 2008, 59% of households had computers, 48% had Internet access and 38% had broadband Internet access. Half of the population aged 16-74 use a computer regularly – at least once a week – and 44% are regular Internet users. Most households use the Internet to send and receive electronic mail, find information about products and services, and take part in chats and discussion forums.


In November 2008 the general climate in the retail sector was at the lowest level since January 2007.

As in previous months, the smallest businesses, those employing up to nine people, were the most pessimistic about their situation and sales. Larger retailers also expected a deterioration in the economic situation and their sales. Expectations for food, clothing, footwear and motor vehicle sales were pessimistic. The outlook for the furniture, household appliance and radio and television sector was optimistic.
The major barriers to business activity have not changed much from the previous month. The main barriers were still: market competition (signalled by 71% of the surveyed retailers), high labour costs (63%) and high fiscal burdens (56%). Retailers chose the following sources to finance their working capital: own resources (68%), bank loans (27%) and open account (26%).