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.
Department for internal trade,tourism and services
1.3. Contact name
Confidential because of GDPR
1.4. Contact person function
Confidential because of GDPR
1.5. Contact mail address
str. Dame Gruev no.4, Skopje, Republic of North Macedonia.
1.6. Contact email address
Confidential because of GDPR
1.7. Contact phone number
Confidential because of GDPR
1.8. Contact fax number
Confidential because of GDPR
2.1. Metadata last certified
4 June 2025
2.2. Metadata last posted
4 June 2025
2.3. Metadata last update
4 June 2025
3.1. Data description
The monthly statistical survey on distributive trade (TRG.1) collects the following data: turnover, number of persons employed and hours worked. The main purpose of the survey is to provide data on turnover in retail trade on a monthly basis. The data set refer to indices (value and volume indices).
3.2. Classification system
NACE Rev.2.
3.3. Coverage - sector
Section G - Divisions 45,46 and 47.
3.4. Statistical concepts and definitions
Turnover comprises the totals invoiced by the observation unit during the reference period, and this corresponds to market sales of goods or services supplied to third parties. Turnover also includes all other charges (transport, packaging, etc.) passed on to the customer, even if these charges are listed separately in the invoice. Turnover excludes VAT and other similar deductible taxes directly linked to turnover as well as all duties and taxes on the goods or services invoiced by the unit. Reduction in prices, rebates and discounts as well as the value of returned packing must be deducted. Price reductions, rebates and bonuses conceded later to clients, for example at the end of the year, are not taken into account. Income classified as other operating income, financial income, extraordinary income in company accounts, as well as subsidies received from public authorities or the institution of European Union, is excluded from turnover. Detailed definitions are described and the Regulation (EU) 2019/2152 on European business statistics, and it's implementing Regulation 2020/1197 laying down technical specifications.
3.5. Statistical unit
The basic units of statistical observation are the enterprises, whose main activity in the Statistical Business Register is Section G (Trade).
3.6. Statistical population
The target statistical population are business entities from SBR (Statistical Business Register) whose main activity is trade .The sample frame is selected from the Statistical Business Register. The basic units of statistical observation are the active enterprises (no local units), whose main activity in the Statistical Business Register is Sector G (Trade), Divisions 45, 46 and 47. The sample type for survey is stratified random sample.
3.7. Reference area
Republic of North Macedonia.
3.8. Coverage - Time
Data are collected and disseminated monthly, starting from January 2011.
3.9. Base period
2021=100.
Data transmitted as indices (value and volume indices).
The data collected in current month refer to previous month.
6.1. Institutional Mandate - legal acts and other agreements
The statistical survey is based on the Law on State Statistics (Official Gazette No. 54/97, 21/07, 51/11, 104/13, 42/14, 192/15, 27/16, 83/18 and 220/18), the Five-Year Programme for Statistical Surveys 2023-2027 (Official Gazette No. 29/2023) and Regulation (EU) 2019/2152 of the European Parlament and of the Council of the European business statistics.
6.2. Institutional Mandate - data sharing
The data on turnover are transmitted to EUROSTAT via EDAMIS.
7.1. Confidentiality - policy
Data gathered by the statistical survey are individual data protected by the Law on State Statistics (Official Gazette No. 54/97, 21/07, 51/2011, 104/13, 42/14, 192/15, 27/16, 83/18 and 220/18 ). Individual data are used for statistical purposes only.
7.2. Confidentiality - data treatment
Any individual or personal data, regardless of the phase of statistical observation, are treated as confidential data and can be used only for statistical purposes.
8.1. Release calendar
The data are published in accordance with the deadlines specified in the Advance Release Calendar. The Calendar is published and available to all users via the web site of the State Statistical Office.
8.2. Release calendar access
Please find more information at the webistes here below:
The trade turnover data are published on the web site of the State Statistical Office at the same time for all users and no user has priority in using the data.
The trade turnover data are disseminated on a monthly basis, as preliminary data. Each year, in the first quarter of the year, the data are published as final, referring to the previous year, by months.
10.1. Dissemination format - News release
The distributive trade turnover data are published in news releases, on a monthly basis. The data set is published according to National Classification of Activities, at the level of Division (45, 46 and 47), and within Division 47, the data are published at the level of Group and at the level of Class. The indices (value and volume) and changing rates (in nominal and real terms) are published in news releases.
10.2. Dissemination format - Publications
The data from the statistical survey on distributive trade are published in: "Monthly statistical bulletin" and "Statistical Yearbook". All publications are available on the State Statistical Office website.
10.3. Dissemination format - online database
The On-line database is available on web page of State Statistical Office via PC Axis.
The database contains:
monthly data (preliminary and final);
data at the level of Division;
Group and Class (NKD Rev.2);
data on turnover;
number of persons employed and hours worked.
10.4. Dissemination format - microdata access
Microdata access is regulated with the policy for access to microdata. Few years ago, the Committee for statistical confidentiality was formed. Each researcher interested in microdata has to fullfil a request for microdata access and sent to the Commitee, who decide whether to permit access to data or not. A special office with computers exist for this purpose.
Not other dissemination format.The data are sent to Eurostat to be used in European aggregates as well as to be released as national data.
10.6. Documentation on methodology
The methodological notes for the statistical survey on distributive trade are an integral part of the news release and are available on the web site of the State Statistical Office. The methodological notes are also available in all monthly and annual publications which contain data on distributive trade.
10.7. Quality management - documentation
Not available.
11.1. Quality assurance
Quality controls and data validations are done thought the whole business process - from the phase of collection all along to the phase of preparation of aggregated data.The quality of statistical information and its production process is ensured by the provisions of the European Statistical Code of practice.
The quality of statistics is assesed according to the folowing criteria: relevance, accuracy, timeliness and punctuality, accesibility and clarity, comparabillity and coherence.
11.2. Quality management - assessment
Quality assessment is provided by quality reports prepared after publishing the final results of the survey. A quality report was elaborated on the basis of standard qualty procedures recommended in the ESS Handbook for quality reports. The quality of monthly survey was described following the quality criteria: relevance, accuracy, timeliness and punctuality, accesibility and clarity, and comparabillity. Relevance is maintained by Five-Year Statistical Programme adopted by the Government of the Republic of North Macedonia. Accuracy is provided by sampling and non-sampling errors described in quality reports.Concerning timeliness and punctuality all releases are published in accordance with the Advance release calendar.Comparability of series is maintained geographically.
12.1. Relevance - User Needs
There are various users such as government agencies and bodies, banks, private business subjects, universities, EUROSTAT. The data are used for analyzing economic trends, market analysis, calculation of GDP and for decision making process.
12.2. Relevance - User Satisfaction
User satisfaction surveys are used for measuring user satisfaction. The survey covers several kind of users, such as government and local admministration, students, media, scientists, international organisations, non-government organisations and others. The questionnaire comprise the following issues: general information on using statistical data (which data were used, how often and for what purpose); assessment of data availability, transparency, timelines and comparability; evaluation of services provided by SSO; general assesment of statistics.
12.3. Completeness
Statistical survey for distributive trade is based on Methodology for Short-term statistics and it is harmonised with Regulation (EU) 2019/2152 on European business statistics, and it's implementing Regulation 2020/1197 laying down technical specifications.
13.1. Accuracy - overall
The overall accuracy is treated with great importance, starting with survey methodology and improving actions in sample design, registry updates, logical control, calculation methods etc. directed towards reducing or eliminating different types of errors. The sampling errors are assesed as small. Preliminary resuts are replaced with final results at T+70.
13.2. Sampling error
Stratified simple random sample is used. CV for the turnover is calculated using SAS-PROC SURVEYMEANS Procedure.
Months
January
February
March
April
May
June
July
August
September
October
November
December
CV
14.4
10.7
10.7
10.9
10.9
10.6
11.4
11.4
10.6
10.3
10.2
10.4
13.3. Non-sampling error
The statistical survey on distributive trade turnover is a monthly survey based on a sample. The survey questionnaire is designed in the subject-matter department, based on regulations and methodologies for short- term business statistics. Reporting units are provided with information about the new survey through a letter, which is distributed once per year, together with the questionnaires. The regional departments for statistics are responsible for data gathering within specified deadlines, while control is made in the Central Office. If some of the reporting units do not respond on time, repeat contact is made by letter or by phone. Processing errors are minimal and the correction of all errors is done while controling the responses. There are controls with on-line data editing rules as well as control after data entry. Non-response errors: the possible problem is unit non-response, while the item non-response does not exist. In case of high unit non-response, a specific mathematical procedure for estimation of missing data is used (adjustment unit non-response).
14.1. Timeliness
Retail and wholesale turnover data are released 30 days after the reference period. (T+30).
14.2. Punctuality
On national level, news releases are published completely on time, in accordance with the Advance Release Calendar. Preliminary results sent to Eurostat in a period T+30, while final results sent in a period T+70.
15.1. Comparability - geographical
The same statistical concepts are applied in the entire national territory.
15.2. Comparability - over time
The survey started in January 2011, according to a new methodology and regulation, so there are no long time series for this survey and no comparability with previous data is possible.
15.3. Coherence - cross domain
Cross domain checking is done when yearly SBS statistics are available. Also, the comparison was made with the administrative data from the Public Revenue Office.
15.4. Coherence - internal
Internal coherence is assured.
Average time spent by response unit for fulfiling the questionnaire is 15 minutes.
17.1. Data revision - policy
Revision policy is available on SSO website. The mayor revisions are performed in terms of methodology, classifications or base year changes, while routine revisions are made when preliminary results are replaced with final data. The same revision policy is applied to data released nationally and transmitted to Eurostat. The survey data are revised one per year (in March), when preliminary monthly data are replaced with final monthly data.
Data revision policy is done according to the SSO Revision Policy. The revision is done once in a year (in the first quarter), after which the data are published as final.
The Mean Absolute Revision (MAR) and Mean Revision (MR) for undajusted data are zero.
The data on turnover in distributive trade are collected on a monthly basis, by a sample survey. The sample frame is taken from the Statistical Business Register and includes enterprises engaged in trade activity (NKD Rev.2, Section G - Trade. The sample is stratified, and stratification is made on the basis of activity and turnover size. All large and medium-sized enterprises are included in the sample, while the rest are determined randomly.
18.2. Frequency of data collection
Data collection is done on a monthly basis.
18.3. Data collection
Starting from 2023 the data is collected using the electronic system for data collection (ESTAT). The questionnaires have to be completed by responsible persons in enterprises or by accounting offices.
18.4. Data validation
Data checking is performed in accordance with the defined criteria for control. Checking is done before and after data entry. In case of deviations, the respondents are contacted. The prepared indices are also checked before publication.
18.5. Data compilation
The statistical survey on distributive trade turnover is a monthly survey based on a sample. Data control is made from several aspects such as: timeliness, coverage (whether all reporting units respond), completeness (whether all items have a response) and accuracy. During the data control, which is done manually, all necessary corrections are made. After data entry, another control is made in order to check/compare the values with the previous months and accuracy of hours worked for the exact month. The main issue is unit non-response, for which a specific mathematical procedure for estimation of missing data is used (adjustment unit non-response). Afterwards, from the absolute figures, the indices in nominal terms are calculated and published.
18.6. Adjustment
From 2019 the working day and seasonal adjustment data were sent to Eurostat via Edamis.
Not applicable.
The monthly statistical survey on distributive trade (TRG.1) collects the following data: turnover, number of persons employed and hours worked. The main purpose of the survey is to provide data on turnover in retail trade on a monthly basis. The data set refer to indices (value and volume indices).
4 June 2025
Turnover comprises the totals invoiced by the observation unit during the reference period, and this corresponds to market sales of goods or services supplied to third parties. Turnover also includes all other charges (transport, packaging, etc.) passed on to the customer, even if these charges are listed separately in the invoice. Turnover excludes VAT and other similar deductible taxes directly linked to turnover as well as all duties and taxes on the goods or services invoiced by the unit. Reduction in prices, rebates and discounts as well as the value of returned packing must be deducted. Price reductions, rebates and bonuses conceded later to clients, for example at the end of the year, are not taken into account. Income classified as other operating income, financial income, extraordinary income in company accounts, as well as subsidies received from public authorities or the institution of European Union, is excluded from turnover. Detailed definitions are described and the Regulation (EU) 2019/2152 on European business statistics, and it's implementing Regulation 2020/1197 laying down technical specifications.
The basic units of statistical observation are the enterprises, whose main activity in the Statistical Business Register is Section G (Trade).
The target statistical population are business entities from SBR (Statistical Business Register) whose main activity is trade .The sample frame is selected from the Statistical Business Register. The basic units of statistical observation are the active enterprises (no local units), whose main activity in the Statistical Business Register is Sector G (Trade), Divisions 45, 46 and 47. The sample type for survey is stratified random sample.
Republic of North Macedonia.
The data collected in current month refer to previous month.
The overall accuracy is treated with great importance, starting with survey methodology and improving actions in sample design, registry updates, logical control, calculation methods etc. directed towards reducing or eliminating different types of errors. The sampling errors are assesed as small. Preliminary resuts are replaced with final results at T+70.
Data transmitted as indices (value and volume indices).
The statistical survey on distributive trade turnover is a monthly survey based on a sample. Data control is made from several aspects such as: timeliness, coverage (whether all reporting units respond), completeness (whether all items have a response) and accuracy. During the data control, which is done manually, all necessary corrections are made. After data entry, another control is made in order to check/compare the values with the previous months and accuracy of hours worked for the exact month. The main issue is unit non-response, for which a specific mathematical procedure for estimation of missing data is used (adjustment unit non-response). Afterwards, from the absolute figures, the indices in nominal terms are calculated and published.
The data on turnover in distributive trade are collected on a monthly basis, by a sample survey. The sample frame is taken from the Statistical Business Register and includes enterprises engaged in trade activity (NKD Rev.2, Section G - Trade. The sample is stratified, and stratification is made on the basis of activity and turnover size. All large and medium-sized enterprises are included in the sample, while the rest are determined randomly.
The trade turnover data are disseminated on a monthly basis, as preliminary data. Each year, in the first quarter of the year, the data are published as final, referring to the previous year, by months.
Retail and wholesale turnover data are released 30 days after the reference period. (T+30).
The same statistical concepts are applied in the entire national territory.
The survey started in January 2011, according to a new methodology and regulation, so there are no long time series for this survey and no comparability with previous data is possible.
