ARMENIAN CONSUMER MARKET VOLUME GROWS BY 20.4% IN JANUARY-MARCH 2006
ON SAME MONTHS OF LAST YEAR

YEREVAN, MAY 8, NOYAN TAPAN. In January-March 2006, the volume of the
Armenian consumer market made 289 bln 629.5 mln drams (about 644 mln
USD), exceeding by 20.4% the respective index of last year. According
to the RA National Statistical Service, the trade turnover amounted to
193 bln 565 mln drams or by 18.3% more than in the same period of
2005, including the retail trade turnover that made 148 bln 281.9 mln
drams in current prices, exceeding by 13.6% the respective index of
the same period of last year in comparable prices, the trade in cars
that made 13 bln 804.8 mln drams (a 77% increase), and services of 96
bln 64.5 mln drams (a 22.1% increase). In January-March 2006, trade
conducted in shops and consumer commodity markets accounted for the
largest share of retail trade in Armenia – 76.6% (113 bln 626.3 mln
drams). This tendency is typical of almost all Armenian marzes. Retail
trade facilities of Yerevan accounted for 86.6% of the RA retail trade
turnover (128 bln 369.4 mln drams). This is explained by the above
mentioned factors and the fact that the population of a number of
marzes (mainly those near Yerevan) tend to purchase goods in Yerevan
trade facilities.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress