In November compared with October, confidence indicator in trade increased by 8,3 percentage points (p.p.) to 28,3 as a result of positive evaluations of the current as well as the expected business activities.

93 % of respondents assessed the trend in business activities over the past three months as favourable or unchanged. The seasonally adjusted balance (38) increased by 7 p.p. compared with October. Positive evaluations (weighted by turnover) prevail in all sectors of retail trade, except the sale of motor vehicles, in all size groups and regions. The level of stock (7) increased month-on-month by 1 p.p. and 92 % of respondents assess it to be normal to the season. 45 % of respondents plan to increase orders (by 3 % less than in the survey conducted in October), 11 % reported a decrease (by 1 % less) and 44 % of enterprises expect a stabilised development (by 4 % more). The final seasonally adjusted balance (38) in this indicator increased by 7 p.p. in this indicator. Respondents will increase orders in all sectors of retail trade, except retail sale of automotive fuel, in all size groups except enterprises employing 20 to 49 people and in all regions. When evaluating the expected business activities over the next three months, respondents were more optimistic compared with the previous month, therefore the balance in November (54) increased by 19 p.p. An increase of business activities is expected by 57 % of enterprises (by 7 % more than in the survey conducted in October), 36 % of enterprises assume a stable development (by 3 % less) and 7 % of respondents expect a decrease (by 4 % less). Positive evaluations prevail in all sectors of retail trade, in all size groups and regions. Compared with October, an increase in the employment development is assumed, the seasonally adjusted balance increased by 9 p.p. to 30. The majority of respondents (56 %) do not expect any changes, 39 % expect an increase in the number of employees and 5 % expect the decrease of employment. The number of employees will be increased in all sectors of retail trade, except the sale of motor vehicles, retail sale of automotive fuels and in all size groups, except enterprises employing 11 to 49 people. In territorial terms, the number of employees will be increased in all regions, except Trenčín. When evaluating the expected development of prices, the majority of respondents (69 %) assume it will remain unchanged, which is by 7 % less than in the previous month. An increase of prices is assumed by 26 % of respondents (by 5 % more than in the survey conducted in October) and a decrease by 5 % of enterprises (by 2 % more). The final balance (23) increased by 3 p.p. compared with the previous month. A price increase is expected by respondents in all sectors of retail trade, in all size groups, except enterprises employing 50 to 99 people and in all regions.