Reference metadata describe statistical concepts and methodologies used for the collection and generation of data. They provide information on data quality and, since they are strongly content-oriented, assist users in interpreting the data. Reference metadata, unlike structural metadata, can be decoupled from the data.
The objective of the indicator - index of turnover (VAT excluded) - to show the development and changes in turnover of trade enterprises.
3.2. Classification system
National version (EVRK Rev. 2) of the Statistical Classification of Economic Activities in the European Community (NACE Rev. 2).
3.3. Coverage - sector
The indicators in this sector cover economic activities listed in section G of NACE Rev. 2. All size classes are covered.
3.4. Statistical concepts and definitions
Turnover (VAT excluded) – income recognised or received over a reporting period by an economic entity by selling goods and (or) providing services (VAT excluded) less the amount of the returned goods sale, write-down, discounts. Income that is recognized in the profit (loss) account as a result of other activity as well as income from financial and investment activities is excluded.
Index of turnover represents changes in the turnover over a certain period of time.
Turnover (VAT excluded) at current prices and indices of turnover at current and constant prices are calculated.
3.5. Statistical unit
Reporting unit - legal entity, observation unit – KAU (kind of activity unit).
3.6. Statistical population
The frame population is listing from the Business Register. In the list all active enterprises without any threshold (turnover or persons employed) are included. Total population: division 45 - 6028 enterprises; division 46 - 9823; division 47 - 11079.
Sampling rates:
Divisions
Persons employed
45
46
47
1-9
7%
13%
10%
10-19
27%
69%
43%
20-49
49%
82%
59%
50 and more
100%
100%
100%
3.7. Reference area
Territory of Lithuania. The activities outside the Lithuania are not included.
3.8. Coverage - Time
Since 1998.
3.9. Base period
2021 = 100.
Indices
Month.
6.1. Institutional Mandate - legal acts and other agreements
In the process of statistical data collection, processing and analysis and dissemination of statistical information, Statistics Lithuania fully guarantees the confidentiality of the data submitted by respondents (households, enterprises, institutions, organizations and other statistical units), as defined in the Confidentiality Policy Guidelines of Statistics Lithuania.
7.2. Confidentiality - data treatment
Statistical Disclosure Control Manual, approved by Order No DĮ-26 of 19 January 2024 of the Director General of the State Data Agency;
The State Data Governance Information System Data Security Regulations and Rules for the Secure Management of Electronic Information in the State Data Governance Information System, approved by Order No DĮ-163 of 20 August 2024 of the Director General of the State Data Agency.
8.1. Release calendar
Statistical information is published on the Official Statistics Portal according to the Official Statistics Calendar.
Statistical information is prepared and disseminated under the principle of impartiality and objectivity, i.e. in a systematic, reliable and unbiased manner, following professional and ethical standards (the European Statistics Code of Practice), and the policies and practices followed are transparent to users and survey respondents.
All users have equal access to statistical information. All statistical information is published at the same time – at 9 a.m. on the day of publication of statistical information as indicated in the calendar on the Official Statistics Portal. Relevant statistical information is sent automatically to news subscribers.
Statistical information is published following the Official Statistics Dissemination Policy Guidelines and Statistical Information Dissemination and Communication Rules of the State Data Agency approved by Order No DĮ-208 of 8 October 2024 of the Director General of the State Data Agency.
Monthly.
10.1. Dissemination format - News release
News releases on the turnover of retail trade enterprises are published on the 28th day after the end of the reference month.
10.2. Dissemination format - Publications
The annual statistical information is provided in electronic publication Lithuania in Figures
10.3. Dissemination format - online database
Database of Indicators (Business statistics ->Domestic trade -> Turnover and indices of retail trade, motor vehicles and catering enterprises)
Database of Indicators (Business statistics -> Domestic trade -> Turnover and indices of wholesale trade enterprises)
10.4. Dissemination format - microdata access
State Data Agency may, on the basis of contracts concluded with higher education institutions or research institutes, provide statistical data to researchers of these higher education institutions and research institutes to carry out specific statistical analyses for research purposes. Statistical data are provided in accordance with the provisions specified in the Description of Procedure for Data Depersonalization and Pseudonymization. More information is available on the Official Statistics Portal, in the section Data Provision.
In 2007, a quality management system, conforming to the requirements of the international quality management system standard ISO 9001, was introduced at the State Data Agency. Main trends in activity of the State Data Agency aimed at quality management and continuous development in the institution are established in the Quality Policy. Monitoring of the quality indicators of statistical processes and their results and self-evaluation of statistical survey managers is regularly carried out in order to identify areas which need improvement and to promptly eliminate shortcomings.
More information on assurance of quality of statistical information and its preparation is published in the Quality Management section on the State Data Agency website.
11.2. Quality management - assessment
The system for measurement and monitoring of performance quality implemented at the State Data Agency allows making expeditious decisions, based on impartial information, which are important for the improvement of performance, detection and elimination of drawbacks.
State Data Agency uses the following tools for quality monitoring and assurance:
monitoring of performance indicators (comprising ESS quality indicators, the response burden and indicators related to time used for different statistical processes),
self-assessment of survey managers (based on DESAP (European checklists for survey managers),
statistical audits,
testing of previously approved statistical questionnaires.
Collecting information is submitted to the quality requirements, consistent with the standard quality components of European Statistical System, namely: relevance, accuracy, timeliness and punctuality, accessibility, clarity, comparability, coherence.
12.1. Relevance - User Needs
The main users of statistical information are state and municipal institutions and agencies, international organizations, the media, business and academic representatives, whose needs are satisfied without a breach of the confidentiality principle.
12.2. Relevance - User Satisfaction
Since 2005, user opinion surveys have been conducted on a regular basis. The Official Statistics Portal traffic is monitored, website visitor opinion polls, general opinion poll on the products and services of the State Data Agency, target user group opinion polls and other surveys are conducted.
In 2007, the compilation of a user satisfaction index was launched. The said surveys are aimed at the assessment of the overall demand for and necessity of statistical information in general and specific statistical indicators in particular.
More information on user opinion surveys and results thereof are published in the User Surveys section on the State Data Agency website.
12.3. Completeness
Indices of turnover (VAT excluded) at current and constant prices in per cent and turnover at current prices in euro in trade enterprises are published at the NACE Rev. 2 class (4-digit) level. The contents and level of detail of the indicator comply with the EU requirements. 100 per cent of information produced in accordance with the Official Statistics Programme is published.
13.1. Accuracy - overall
Frame population is conducted from the Statistical Business Register (SBR). To define frame population main variables are: economic activity and number of persons employed of enterprises. The bias due to under-coverage is not significant. Sampling design – simple random stratified sample. Strata are conducted according to the kind of activity, the number of persons employed and turnover. Non response rate is low (data can be submitted electronically). Data revision is performed each month for previous month (new information appears - data from administrative data sources, some respondents have made corrections in reports). Impact of measurement and processing errors is eliminated by finding outliers, contacting with the reporting units, using editing procedures to the raw data, analysis. The overall accuracy is high. The measure of the estimates – coefficient of variation is lower than those recommended for business statistics.
13.2. Sampling error
The overall accuracy is high. The measure of the estimates – coefficient of variation is lower than those recommended for business statistics. Coefficient of variation in September 2024: G45 - 0.9%, G46 - 0.05%, G47 - 0.1%.
13.3. Non-sampling error
Non-sampling errors have not significant impact on the results. There are some cases of under-coverage because of updating SBR and appearance new elements in population (in case if enterprise is significant and has 50 or more employees at the end of the year revision for whole year is made). Non response rate is low and did not exceed 2% in 2024.
14.1. Timeliness
Provisional Results: The preliminary statistical information on Section G, division 47 of Nace Rev. 2 is published on the 28th day after the end of the reference month.
Final Results: The final statistical information on Section G, divisions 45, 46, 47 of Nace Rev. 2 is published on the 58th day after the end of the reference month.
The rate of data publications at SL and transmissions to Eurostat on time is equal to 100 per cent.
15.1. Comparability - geographical
Statistical information is comparable across the EU.
15.2. Comparability - over time
Full comparability is ensured. Since January 1998.
15.3. Coherence - cross domain
The indicators are comparable with structural business statistics indicators.
15.4. Coherence - internal
The values of the indicators are internally coherent. The aggregated values of indicators are derived from lower-level values in accordance with an established procedure.
The administrative burden for respondents and cost are determined for statistical survey in total and it is not possible to calculate for separate indicators.
Total cost (NSI) – 17336 hours per year.
Total burden (respondents) – 18763 hours per year.
The same revision policy is applied for the data released nationally and transmitted to Eurostat.
Long-term planned (major) revisions are conducted after amendments in legal acts, due to changes in the base year, methodology and classifications entail revisions.
17.2. Data revision - practice
Revisions are conducted in accordance with an approved statistical information revision calendar.
Differences between growth rates, 2022-2024 average
Mean Revision (MR)
Mean Absolute Revision (MAR)
unadjusted*
calendar adjusted*
seasonally adjusted**
unadjusted*
calendar adjusted*
seasonally adjusted**
G47
-0.03
0.03
0.02
0.26
0.34
0.64
* Month to corresponding month of previous year **Month to previous month
18.1. Source data
Main statistical data source – a monthly statistical sample survey on trade and catering enterprises. A representative sample comprising 4552 enterprises was drawn for the year 2024.
18.2. Frequency of data collection
Monthly.
18.3. Data collection
The data are collected using the Statistical Questionnaire PR-01 (monthly) of Trade and Catering Enterprises, through the Electronic Statistical Business Data Preparation and Transmission System e.Statistics.
18.4. Data validation
To ensure the quality of statistical data, data analysis, validation, and verification are carried out, as well as outlier detection and the use of editing and imputation methods are applied. Statistical data for the reference period are compared with data from previous periods and administrative sources, and their completeness and consistency are checked. The selective editing method and the Hidiroglou-Berthelot method are used to identify outliers. To ensure the quality of statistical information, the estimates of statistical indicators for the reference period at the level of the smallest estimation domains are compared with those of the previous period, the corresponding period of the previous year, and the aggregated data from administrative sources. If significant discrepancies are observed compared to results from previous periods, their causes are analyzed and, if necessary, statistical data are revised.
18.5. Data compilation
If, in a certain estimation domain or its part, auxiliary information on population elements (VAT declaration data) is available, a ratio estimator is applied. For preliminary turnover estimates, data from the previous month’s VAT declarations are used; for final turnover estimates, data from the current month’s VAT declarations are applied. Otherwise, the Horvitz-Thompson estimator is used. For the imputation of missing values, data from previous periods and administrative sources (VAT declarations) are used. The turnover (VAT excluded) index at constant prices is computed using the price index coefficients. To calculate the turnover at constant prices for retail trade, motor vehicle and catering enterprises, appropriate consumer price coefficients are used. For wholesale trade, coefficients for the purchase prices of agricultural products, industrial producer prices, consumer prices, and import prices are used depending on the type of wholesale activity.
In order to eliminate the influence of season and/or the number of working days, seasonal adjustment of the indicator time series is performed using the TRAMO / SEATS method, JDemetra + (version 2.2.2) Program. The seasonal adjustment model for the time series of the statistical indicator shall be established for one year and updated once a year, with all periods for the reference year. The horizon revision covers 4 years: the current year and 3 years backwards. Seasonal and calendar factors are used in the modelling, regressors of working/non-working days, lifting years are used; exceptions are identified and adjusted; the calendar of Lithuanian public holidays is taken into account. Statistical significance of the variables, number of exclusions, statistical characteristics of the residues (seasonality of the residues, independence, normality, etc.) are checked during validation. Seasonal adjustment and balancing is performed following recommendations laid down in “Handbook on Seasonal Adjusment (2018)“.
No comment.
The objective of the indicator - index of turnover (VAT excluded) - to show the development and changes in turnover of trade enterprises.
13 June 2025
Turnover (VAT excluded) – income recognised or received over a reporting period by an economic entity by selling goods and (or) providing services (VAT excluded) less the amount of the returned goods sale, write-down, discounts. Income that is recognized in the profit (loss) account as a result of other activity as well as income from financial and investment activities is excluded.
Index of turnover represents changes in the turnover over a certain period of time.
Turnover (VAT excluded) at current prices and indices of turnover at current and constant prices are calculated.
Reporting unit - legal entity, observation unit – KAU (kind of activity unit).
The frame population is listing from the Business Register. In the list all active enterprises without any threshold (turnover or persons employed) are included. Total population: division 45 - 6028 enterprises; division 46 - 9823; division 47 - 11079.
Sampling rates:
Divisions
Persons employed
45
46
47
1-9
7%
13%
10%
10-19
27%
69%
43%
20-49
49%
82%
59%
50 and more
100%
100%
100%
Territory of Lithuania. The activities outside the Lithuania are not included.
Month.
Frame population is conducted from the Statistical Business Register (SBR). To define frame population main variables are: economic activity and number of persons employed of enterprises. The bias due to under-coverage is not significant. Sampling design – simple random stratified sample. Strata are conducted according to the kind of activity, the number of persons employed and turnover. Non response rate is low (data can be submitted electronically). Data revision is performed each month for previous month (new information appears - data from administrative data sources, some respondents have made corrections in reports). Impact of measurement and processing errors is eliminated by finding outliers, contacting with the reporting units, using editing procedures to the raw data, analysis. The overall accuracy is high. The measure of the estimates – coefficient of variation is lower than those recommended for business statistics.
Indices
If, in a certain estimation domain or its part, auxiliary information on population elements (VAT declaration data) is available, a ratio estimator is applied. For preliminary turnover estimates, data from the previous month’s VAT declarations are used; for final turnover estimates, data from the current month’s VAT declarations are applied. Otherwise, the Horvitz-Thompson estimator is used. For the imputation of missing values, data from previous periods and administrative sources (VAT declarations) are used. The turnover (VAT excluded) index at constant prices is computed using the price index coefficients. To calculate the turnover at constant prices for retail trade, motor vehicle and catering enterprises, appropriate consumer price coefficients are used. For wholesale trade, coefficients for the purchase prices of agricultural products, industrial producer prices, consumer prices, and import prices are used depending on the type of wholesale activity.
Main statistical data source – a monthly statistical sample survey on trade and catering enterprises. A representative sample comprising 4552 enterprises was drawn for the year 2024.
Monthly.
Provisional Results: The preliminary statistical information on Section G, division 47 of Nace Rev. 2 is published on the 28th day after the end of the reference month.
Final Results: The final statistical information on Section G, divisions 45, 46, 47 of Nace Rev. 2 is published on the 58th day after the end of the reference month.
Statistical information is comparable across the EU.
Full comparability is ensured. Since January 1998.
