Retail trade turnover index registered a year-on-year change rate of 4.2% in December (3.9% in November). The indices of employment, wages and salaries and hours worked adjusted of calendar effects presented year-on-year change rates of 2.4%, 6.9% and 1.8%, respectively (2.1%, 5.9% and 1.7% in the previous month, by the same order).
In the 4th quarter of 2018 the year-on-year change rate increased 4.6% (2.4% in the 3rd quarter). The annual change rate of the retail trade turnover index was 3.9% (change rate of 4.1% in 2017). In terms of annual average, employment, wages and hours (gross data) increased by 2.8%, 5.6% and 1.1%, respectively, in 2018, reflecting less intense growth than in the previous year (3.2%, 6.5% and 1.4%). The wage per capita and per hour worked increased, respectively, by 2.7% and 4.5% in 2018 (3.3% and 5.1% in 2017).