In November compared with October, confidence indicator in trade decreased by 0,7 percentage points (p.p.) to 18,3 as a result of negative evaluations of the current business activities.

92 % of respondents assessed the trend in business activities over the past three months as favourable or unchanged.  The seasonally adjusted balance (25) decreased by 5 p.p. compared with October. In spite of that, positive evaluations (weighted by turnover) prevail in all sectors of retail trade, in all size groups and regions. The level of stock (1) decreased by 3 p.p. month-on-month and 91 % of respondents assess it to be normal to the season. 32 % of respondents plan to increase orders (by 4 % less than in the survey conducted in October), 13 % of respondents reported a decrease (by 4 % more) and 55 % of enterprises expect a stabilised development (unchanged situation). The final seasonally adjusted balance (25) increased by 1 p.p. in this indicator. Respondents will increase orders in all sectors of retail trade, except retail sale of automotive fuels, in all size groups except enterprises employing 0 to 10 and 20 to 49 people and in all regions. Compared with the previous month, the situation was unchanged when evaluating the expected business activities over the next three months, therefore in October, the balance (31) did not change. Positive evaluations prevail in all sectors of retail trade, in all size groups except enterprises employing 0 to 10 and 20 to 49 people and in all regions except Nitra. Compared with October, a decrease in the employment development is assumed, the seasonally adjusted balance decreased by 1 p.p. to 13. The majority of respondents (75 %) do not expect any changes, 5 % expect a decrease in the number of employees and 20 % expect the increase of employment. The number of employees will be increased in all sectors of retail trade, except repair of motor vehicles and in retail sale of automotive fuels, in all size groups, except enterprises employing 0 to 19 people. In territorial terms, the number of employees will be increased in all regions, except Trenčín and Banská Bystrica. When evaluating the expected development of prices, the majority of respondents (76 %) assume it will remain unchanged, which is by 1 % less than in the previous month. A price increase is assumed by 18 % of respondents (the same situation as in the survey conducted in October and a decrease by 6 % of enterprises (by 1 % more). The final balance (14) remained unchanged compared with the previous month. Prices will be increased by respondents in all sectors of retail trade, except repair of motor vehicles, in all size groups and in all regions. When evaluating the expected turnover, the respondents were more optimistic than in October as a result of which the balance (33) increased by 2 p.p. An increase of turnover is expected by respondents in all sectors of retail trade, in all size groups, except enterprises employing 20 to 49 people and in all regions. Respondents have included in factors limiting a growth of sale mainly competition (64 %), high operating costs (40 %), legislation (39 %) and low demand (33 %). 14 % of respondents do not have problems with the increase of turnover which is by 1 p.p. more than in October.