OREANDA-NEWS. October 27, 2009. According to the National Bureau of Statistics, this decline was due to reduction of sales of the non-foodstuffs by 10,4%, which accounted for 64.4% of the total retail sales (67% in January-September 2008). At the same time, the sales of the foodstuffs have increased by 6%, accounting for 35,6% of the total retail sales (33% in January-September 2008).

The decline in the retail sales was registered at the public enterprises, mixed (public + private) and private forms of ownership by 11,8%, 11,8% and 6,8%, respectively. At the same time, companies of joint form of ownership (with participation of the foreign capital) and foreign ownership have increased sales by 1,5%. As of October 1, 2009, the existing inventories of the commercial enterprises amounted to 4 billion 969.5 million leis, increasing by 12.3% as compared to the same period of 2008.

The largest share in the total sales accounted for Chisinau municipality - 55,5%, Balti- 8,8%, Gagauzia - 3,1%, Orhei region - 2,2%, Cahul - 2,1%, Ungheni - 1,8%, Edinet - 1,8%, Soroca and Drochia - 1,7%. According to the NBM, in September 2009, the retail sales of the Moldovan companies amounted to 1 billion 827.7 million leis, decreasing by 0,9% as compared to the previous month and by 2,9% as compared with September 2008.