In August compared with July, confidence indicator in trade decreased by 3 percentage points (p.p.) to 17,0 as a result of negative evaluations of the current and expected business activities.

88 % of respondents assessed the trend in business activities over the past three months as favourable or unchanged. The seasonally adjusted balance (33) decreased by 3 p.p. compared with July. In spite of that, positive evaluations (weighted by turnover) prevail in all sectors of retail trade, except the sale of motor vehicles, in all size groups, except enterprises employing 10 to 19 people and in all regions. The level of stock (5) decreased month-on-month by 2 p.p and 92 % of respondents assess it to be normal to the season. 31 % of respondents plan to increase orders (by 8 % less than in the survey conducted in July), 10 % reported a decrease (by 2 % more) and 59 % of enterprises expect a stabilised development (by 6 % more). The final seasonally adjusted balance (19) in this indicator decreased by 11 p.p. in this indicator. In spite of that the respondents will increase orders in all sectors of retail trade, except sale of motor vehicles, in all size groups except enterprises employing 20 to 49 people and in all regions. Compared with the previous month, respondents were more pessimistic when evaluating the expected business activities over the next three months, therefore in August, the balance (23) decreased by 8 p.p. A decrease of business activities is expected by 6 % of enterprises (by 1 % more), 59 % of enterprises assume a stable development (by 1 % more) and 35 % of respondents expect an increase (by 2 % less than in the survey conducted in July). In spite of that, positive evaluations prevail in all sectors of retail trade, in all size groups and regions. Compared with July, an increase in the employment development is assumed, the seasonally adjusted balance increased by 12 p.p. to 22. The majority of respondents (58 %) do not expect any changes, 33 % expect an increase of employment and 9 % expect a decrease in the number of employees. The number of employees will be increased in all sectors of retail trade and in all size groups. In territorial terms, an increased number of employees is assumed in all regions, except Trenčín, Žilina and Banská Bystrica. When evaluating the expected development of prices, the majority of respondents (74 %) assume it will remain unchanged, which is by 6 % more than in the previous month. A price increase is assumed by 24 % of respondents (by 5 % less than in the survey conducted in July) and a decrease by 2 % of enterprises (by 1 % less). The final balance (22) decreased by 4 p.p. compared with the previous month. In spite of that, respondents assume a price increase in all sectors of retail trade, in all size groups and regions.