In the third quarter of 2010, turnover in the services sector stood at 113.1 points, up by 0.4 per cent when compared to the corresponding quarter of 2009. Increases were registered in retail trade (+1.2 per cent), transportation and storage (+2.0 per cent) and accommodation and food services activities (+4.1 per cent). A drop of 0.7 per cent was registered in wholesale trade.

The third quarter of 2010 revealed that employment in services decreased by 0.3 per cent to 97.2 points. This resulted from a drop in retail trade and information and communication, of 4.1 and 4.3 per cent respectively. Other sectors that registered growth in employment were wholesale trade and transportation and storage, both recording an increase of 0.1 per cent. On the other hand, employment in accommodation and food services activities remained stable when compared to the third quarter of the preceding year.

During the period under review, gross wages and salaries in the services sector increased by 2.1 per cent over the corresponding period of 2009. All sectors, with the exception of transportation and storage (-1.2 per cent), registered increases. These ranged from 1.0 per cent in retail trade to 6.7 per cent in motor trade.

Hours worked in the services sector increased by 1.0 per cent in the third quarter 2010 when compared to 2009. While hours worked in wholesale trade and transportation and storage rose by 3.4 and 3.5 per cent respectively, declines were registered in accommodation and food services activities (-1.7 per cent) and retail trade (-2.5 per cent).

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