Brisk Business in the Trade Sector

The marked increase in expenditures by Austrian consumers and the lively demand by foreigners for touristic services in Austria stimulated the trade sector. In the first half of 1991, sales (adjusted for price changes) in the retail sector exceeded last year's level by 4 percent, by 6.4 percent in wholesale trade. Inventories in the retail business were on the increase, those in the wholesale sector on the decrease. Growth in retail sales accelerated in July and August. Christmas sales in 1991 are expected to rise by 4.5 percent in real terms.