Ukraine’s organized retail trade grew 5.0% yoy (3.2% ytd) in June after 4.4% yoy growth in the prior month, according to a State Statistics Service report on July 20. In 2015, organized retail trade dropped 21.0% yoy.
Alexander Paraschiy: Consumption sentiments are apparently improving. Slowing inflation and – as a consequence, strengthening real incomes – have contributed to this trend. In particular, already in May real wages were reported increasing 10.4% yoy from 7.6% yoy in April and 1.7% yoy in March. Given that we expect the economy will strengthen further in the nearest future, we are keeping our optimistic view on private consumption prospects and maintaining our forecast for 2.1% yoy growth for the year.