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.
Short Term Statistics Department / Turnover and Volume Indicators Group
1.3. Contact name
Confidential because of GDPR
1.4. Contact person function
Confidential because of GDPR
1.5. Contact mail address
Turkish Statistical Institute (TurkStat) Devlet Mah.Necatibey Cad. No:114 06420 Çankaya/ANKARA
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
28 May 2025
2.2. Metadata last posted
28 May 2025
2.3. Metadata last update
28 May 2025
3.1. Data description
Retail Sales Indices: Retail Sales Indices measure sales of retail trade enterprises of different types and sizes on a monthly basis. In addition to measuring the development of retail trade sector the index is also considered as an indicator of consumer confidence and household demand. For this reason, it is accepted as one of the most important indicators to monitor the economic condition. Indices are produced as both value (current prices) and volume (constant prices) terms.
The Retail Sales Index is a volume index. The index measures the output change of the “Section 47-Retail Trade (excluding Motor Vehicles and Motorcycles)” sector according to the NACE Rev.2 activity classification.
Trade Turnover Index: The trade turnover index aims to show the development of turnover in trade sector which includes 45, 46 and 47 sectors.
Trade Sales Volume Index: The trade sales volume index measures the sales volumes of enterprises of different types and sizes operating in the trade sector on monthly basis.
All the enterprises which give SCT and VAT no.1 declarations to the Revenue Administration are included in the index calculation.
3.2. Classification system
NACE Rev. 2.
3.3. Coverage - sector
G - Wholesale and retail trade; repair of motor vehicles and motorcycles
The retail sales indices cover the “Division 47 - Retail Trade (Except Motor Vehicles and Motorcycles)” of NACE Rev.2 activity classification.
The trade sales volume index covers “ 45 - Wholesale and retail trade and repair of motor vehicles and motorcycles, 46 - Wholesale trade, except of motor vehicles and motorcycles, 47 - Retail trade, except of motor vehicles and motorcycles ” sectors according to NACE Rev. 2 economic activity classification.
In the press release annex, volume indices at two and three digit levels for these sectors and special groups for retail trade are shared.
3.4. Statistical concepts and definitions
Retail Trade Turnover: Turnover comprises the total value of goods and services invoiced by enterprise in reference month and this corresponds to market sales of goods and services supplied to third parties. Turnover includes invoiced by unit vis-a-vis its customer other all taxes and duties. 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 does not include price decline, discount and allowance, recycling package. The income which is classified in the company’s account as other business income, financial income and extraordinary income are excluded in turnover. Business subventions obtained from the government are also excluded.
Calculation of volume index: Indices measuring retail sales are produced as both value (current prices) and volume (constant prices) terms. As volume measurement is adjusted from price effects.
In calculation of Retail Sales Indices at current prices are deflated by price relatives. CPI indices and average price data are used for this deflation process. For this purpose, CPI results produced at "Classification of Individual Consumption According to Purpose (COICOP)" level are calculated according to NACE Rev.2 level. The COICOP NACE transformation is achieved by using the results of the "Annual Turnover Survey By Products”.
As a result of deflating current price Turnover Index by price relatives at appropriate levels, Retail Sales Volume Index with constant prices is reached.
Trade Turnover index: Turnover comprises the total value of goods and services invoiced by enterprise in reference month and this corresponds to market sales of goods and services supplied to third parties. Turnover includes invoiced by unit vis-a-vis its customer other all taxes and duties. 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 does not include price decline, discount and allowance, recycling package. The income which is classified in the company’s account as other business income, financial income and extraordinary income are excluded in turnover. Business subventions obtained from the government are also excluded.
Trade sales volume index: The trade sales volume index measures the sales volumes of enterprises of different types and sizes operating in the trade sector on monthly basis. The retail sales volume index is considered as an indicator of consumer confidence and household demand. Indices are produced in volume (at fixed prices).
3.5. Statistical unit
Kind of activity unit.
3.6. Statistical population
Enterprises which issue SCT (Special Consumption Tax) and VAT (Value Added Tax) no.1 declerations.
3.7. Reference area
Türkiye
3.8. Coverage - Time
Series of retail sales indices start from January 2010.
Series of trade turnover index start from 2009.
Series of trade sales volume index start from January 2010.
3.9. Base period
2021=100
Indices and percentage changes.
Monthly.
6.1. Institutional Mandate - legal acts and other agreements
Legal basis: Statistical Law of TurkStat no. 5429, of 10th November 2005 is the legal basis of all statistics.
regulation (eu) 2019/2152 of the european parliament and of the council of 27 november 2019 on european business statistics, repealing 10 legal acts in the field of business statistics
commission implementing regulation (eu) 2020/1197 of 30 july 2020 laying down technical specifications and arrangements pursuant to regulation (eu) 2019/2152 on european business statistics, repealing 10 legal acts in the field of business statistics
6.2. Institutional Mandate - data sharing
Unadjusted, calendar adjusted and seasonal and calendar adjusted indices are transmitted to Eurostat. If requested, indices are shared with all international and national instutions and researchers under data confidentiality rules.
7.1. Confidentiality - policy
All statistics collected and published by TurkStat are governed by the Turkish Statistical Law no. 5429, of 10 November 2005.
7.2. Confidentiality - data treatment
If the number of statistical units in any cell of the data table formed by aggregating the individual data is less than three, or if one or two of the statistical units are dominant even if the number of units is three or more, the data in the concerned cell is considered confidential. Confidential data can be published only when combined with other data so as not to allow any direct or indirect identification. All measures to prevent any illicit access, use or revelation of the confidential data shall be taken by the institutions and organisations producing official statistics. The confidential data compiled, processed and preserved for the production of official statistics cannot be delivered to any administrative, judiciary or military authority or person, can not be used for purposes other than statistics or as an instrument of proof. Confidential data can be accessed only by persons involved in the production of official statistics, to the extent that they are needed for performing their duties properly.
8.1. Release calendar
The data release calendar for statistical outputs is prepared on an annual basis and it is publicly announced on the National Data Release Calendar section of the website.
8.2. Release calendar access
Data Release Calendar of the press releases published by the Turkish Statistical Institute are available on the website.
8.3. Release policy - user access
The data are released to all interested parties simultaneously when the news releases are disseminated on the Turkish Statistical Institute (TurkStat) website.
There is no internal governmental access to data before their release to the public.
Series are transmitted to Eurostat at the same day with the press release. Data is transmitted to Eurostat.
Monthly.
10.1. Dissemination format - News release
Under the Statistical Law, any data product prepared under that law must be identified. Technical commentaries prepared by TurkStat accompany the news release.
The results of the indices are published in the news releases “Trade Sales Volume Index” and "Turnover Indices" in English and Turkish.
10.3. Dissemination format - online database
Online database is available with unadjusted, calendar adjusted, and seasonally adjusted indices.
10.4. Dissemination format - microdata access
Micro-data access is not available to the public or private users.
10.5. Dissemination format - other
Unadjusted, calendar adjusted and seasonal and calendar adjusted series are transmitted to Eurostat at the same day with the press release. The transmission is done via EDAMIS4.
10.6. Documentation on methodology
Dissemination of documentation on methodology and sources used in preparing statistics: Methodology and sources used in statistical compilation are disseminated on the Methodology documentation.
The tables published with the trade sales volume index press release are as follows:
Retail sales volume index, special groups, (2021=100).
Trade sales volume index (2021=100).
The tables published with the turnover indices press release for trade sectors are as follows:
Trade turnover index and percentage change (2021=100).
Retail turnover index, special groups and percentage change (2021=100).
10.7. Quality management - documentation
Not available.
11.1. Quality assurance
Not announced to public or not published but some quality checks are made for accuracy and quality assesment of indices. These are;
micro data and indices are examined by the group staff using sql codes in toad
very high changes in companies' total, domestic and non-domestic turnover data are analyzed
impact and contribution analysis are done on enterprise basis by sectors
11.2. Quality management - assessment
Index is detected for below criterias;
relevance: getting opinions from users (public or private) about calculating indices, and taking technical support or advice from Eurostat staff
accuracy and reliability: data sources and results are regularly assessed and validated, and revisions to improve the statistical process are regularly analyzed
timeliness and punctuality: dissemination dates of press releases and indices are announced at the beginning of the year in the Data Release Calendar; any deviation from this calendar and the new publication date are shared with the public
comparability: all turnover indices are comparable with EU and other countries through methodological studies in close cooperation with Eurostat
coherence: Eurostat and other international disclosure standards are followed
12.1. Relevance - User Needs
The main users of statistical information are Eurostat, State institutions and agencies, international organisations, the media, research and business communities, students. The users' needs are satisfied without a breach of the confidentiality principle.
12.2. Relevance - User Satisfaction
Opinions from users (public or private) about calculating indices and technical support/advice from Eurostat staff always taken into consideration. But there is no survey which evaluates users satisfaction.
12.3. Completeness
Data are compliant with EU Regulations and national laws.
13.1. Accuracy - overall
Errors may be encountered due to incorrect coding of the activity at the source. Activity checks are made and enterprises that are found to have different activities from the activity specified in the source data are identified.
At the same time, enterprises whose turnover is incompatible with the series are questioned and their reasons are tried to be determined.
13.2. Sampling error
As all the enterprises that submit SCT and VAT no.1 declarations to the Revenue Administration are included in the index calculation, there is no sampling error.
13.3. Non-sampling error
Not available because of the usage of administrative sources.
14.1. Timeliness
42 days. Results are published in an average of 42 days from the reference month.
Timetable of data collection: SCT and VAT no.1 declarations are compiled monthly from the Revenue Administration on the 1-5th day of the month.
14.2. Punctuality
The news releases are published according to the announced release calendar.
15.1. Comparability - geographical
Indices are comparable with EU and other countries. Methodological studies are done with close cooperation between Eurostat.
The same statistical definitions are applied in the entire Turkish national territory.
15.2. Comparability - over time
It is produced and disseminated at average t+42 days. Retail Sales Indices are available from 2010, trade turnover index is available from 2009 and trade sales volume index is available from 2010. There are no breaks in the series.
15.3. Coherence - cross domain
Comparisons are made with relevant other declerations and made with previous STS-values (previous month and year).
15.4. Coherence - internal
There is internal consistency.
Cost and burden is not available because of administrative data usage.
17.1. Data revision - policy
In the series which are not seasonal and calendar adjusted;
Index values are revised for previous two months with the release of current month,
Index values are revised for last two years at the end of the reference period.
In the series which are seasonal and calendar adjusted;
Index values are revised each month for last three years,
According to system and methodology, if there is a change; the model structure, parameters and outlier structure are modified in the end of each year. Therefore series are revised.
Same revision policy is applied nationally and in transmissions to Eurostat.
17.2. Data revision - practice
Provision of information about revision and advance notice of major changes in methodology: The press releases indicates that the data are preliminary and are subject to revision. The preliminary results are final at the end of two years. Any major changes in methodology are announced at the time of the change and the data compiled using the revised methodology is released.
Benchmarking: Not available.
Indicators shown below; average size of revisions, where revision is defined as the difference between final and preliminary estimators, is used for data revision practice. MR and MAR values were obtained with the information of its last 36 final months.
For Retail Trade Sales Indices:
Turnover index
MR:-0,05
MAR:0,22
Volume of sales index
MR:-0,02
MAR: 0,12
18.1. Source data
Data source is administrative records.
SCT and VAT no.1 declarations received monthly from the Revenue Administration are used.
Data is taken from the revenue administration via File Transfer Protocol (FTP). Afterwards, validations are done and the data is transferred to the database by the relevant IT unit .
18.2. Frequency of data collection
Data are collected monthly.
18.3. Data collection
Data sources: SCT and VAT no.1 declarations are compiled monthly from Revenue Administration.
Method of weighting: Not available.
Sampling and full enumeration: Full enumeration.
18.4. Data validation
Micro data and indices are examined by using sql codes in TOAD.
18.5. Data compilation
Index type: A simple index method is used in which the totals at each level are calculated by proportioning the base year average of the relevant level.
Index calculation:To calculate the trade sales volume index at fixed prices, turnover indices are adjusted for price changes.
Using the results of the "Annual Turnover Survey by Products", the product structure of each sector is determined and deflators for these sectors are calculated with appropriate price data. Turnover values at four digit activity level are adjusted for price changes using these deflators. Thus, the trade sales volume index is obtained at fixed prices.
The following price indices are used to deflate the turnover of the Section 45- Wholesale and retail trade and repair sector of motor vehicles and motorcycles;
consumer price index
domestic producer price index
non-domestic producer price index
The following price indices are used to deflate the turnover of the Section 46- Wholesale trade, except of motor vehicles and motorcycles;
consumer price index
domestic producer price index
non-domestic producer price index
agricultural products producer price index
Consumer Price Indices and average price data are used to deflate the turnover of the Section 47- Retail trade, except of motor vehicles and motorcycles sector. For this purpose, CPI results produced at "Classification of Individual Consumption According to Purpose (COICOP)" level are calculated according to NACE Rev.2 level. The COICOP NACE transformation is achieved by using the results of the "Annual Turnover Survey By Products”.
In calculating retail sales volume index; since CPI is compiled as VAT included, the Turnover Indices are also calculated in VAT included form before deflation process. Thus, the possible changes in the VAT rates do not affect the volume measure.
18.6. Adjustment
Seasonal and calendar related effects prevent observing the general tendency of data because of their temporary characteristics. Therefore, identification of seasonal patterns of short term indicators plays crucial role in order to make reliable comparisons between consecutive periods
Method Used
The seasonal adjustment of Trade Sales Volume Index is carried out using TRAMO-SEATS methodology. The software that is used for the application of this method is JDemetra+ 2.2.2 developed by the National Bank of Belgium (NBB) in cooperation with the Deutsche Bundesbank and Eurostat in accordance with the Guidelines of the European Statistical System.
Seasonal Adjustment Process
Seasonal and calendar adjustment process of Trade Sales Volume Index begins at the end of each year with the identification of the models of next year. This specified model structure is kept fixed throughout the year to adjust seasonally and/or calendar effects. At the end of the year, just like the previous year, specification of econometric estimation models for the following year is done. The identified process repeats itself in a cyclical manner each year.
A substantial number of the subtitles of Trade Sales Volume Index contain seasonal and calendar effects.
Direct or Indirect Approach
Seasonal and calendar adjusted Trade Sales Volume Index is produced using the indirect approach. The individual subtitles of Trade Sales Volume Index are seasonally adjusted and then aggregated to derive seasonally and calendar adjusted totals. The advantages of the indirect approach are easy calculation of contributions to growth from components of main aggregates and retaining additivity.
Revision Policy
Seasonal adjustment procedure is subject to revisions over time because of the re-estimation of seasonal component as new observations are added. These revisions are implemented on the data of the last three years excluding the current year.
Publication
Adjusted data has been published in 3 different ways:
“Calendar adjusted” data is derived from unadjusted data by removing calendar and holiday originated effects. Calendar adjusted data should be used in comparisons regarding the same month/period of the previous year.
“Seasonally adjusted” data is derived from unadjusted data by removing effects originating from seasonal effects. Seasonally adjusted data should be used in comparisons regarding the previous month/period.
If unadjusted data contains both calendar and holiday, and seasonal effects, “seasonally and calendar adjusted” data is derived by removing these effects. Seasonally and calendar adjusted data should be used in comparisons regarding the previous month/period.
Residual seasonality is checked for 4-3-2 digit, section level and for each series
Consistency are done amongst the different levels of breakdown
Additional information about seasonal adjustment can be found at the annexes part.
Retail Sales Indices: Retail Sales Indices measure sales of retail trade enterprises of different types and sizes on a monthly basis. In addition to measuring the development of retail trade sector the index is also considered as an indicator of consumer confidence and household demand. For this reason, it is accepted as one of the most important indicators to monitor the economic condition. Indices are produced as both value (current prices) and volume (constant prices) terms.
The Retail Sales Index is a volume index. The index measures the output change of the “Section 47-Retail Trade (excluding Motor Vehicles and Motorcycles)” sector according to the NACE Rev.2 activity classification.
Trade Turnover Index: The trade turnover index aims to show the development of turnover in trade sector which includes 45, 46 and 47 sectors.
Trade Sales Volume Index: The trade sales volume index measures the sales volumes of enterprises of different types and sizes operating in the trade sector on monthly basis.
All the enterprises which give SCT and VAT no.1 declarations to the Revenue Administration are included in the index calculation.
28 May 2025
Retail Trade Turnover: Turnover comprises the total value of goods and services invoiced by enterprise in reference month and this corresponds to market sales of goods and services supplied to third parties. Turnover includes invoiced by unit vis-a-vis its customer other all taxes and duties. 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 does not include price decline, discount and allowance, recycling package. The income which is classified in the company’s account as other business income, financial income and extraordinary income are excluded in turnover. Business subventions obtained from the government are also excluded.
Calculation of volume index: Indices measuring retail sales are produced as both value (current prices) and volume (constant prices) terms. As volume measurement is adjusted from price effects.
In calculation of Retail Sales Indices at current prices are deflated by price relatives. CPI indices and average price data are used for this deflation process. For this purpose, CPI results produced at "Classification of Individual Consumption According to Purpose (COICOP)" level are calculated according to NACE Rev.2 level. The COICOP NACE transformation is achieved by using the results of the "Annual Turnover Survey By Products”.
As a result of deflating current price Turnover Index by price relatives at appropriate levels, Retail Sales Volume Index with constant prices is reached.
Trade Turnover index: Turnover comprises the total value of goods and services invoiced by enterprise in reference month and this corresponds to market sales of goods and services supplied to third parties. Turnover includes invoiced by unit vis-a-vis its customer other all taxes and duties. 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 does not include price decline, discount and allowance, recycling package. The income which is classified in the company’s account as other business income, financial income and extraordinary income are excluded in turnover. Business subventions obtained from the government are also excluded.
Trade sales volume index: The trade sales volume index measures the sales volumes of enterprises of different types and sizes operating in the trade sector on monthly basis. The retail sales volume index is considered as an indicator of consumer confidence and household demand. Indices are produced in volume (at fixed prices).
Kind of activity unit.
Enterprises which issue SCT (Special Consumption Tax) and VAT (Value Added Tax) no.1 declerations.
Türkiye
Monthly.
Errors may be encountered due to incorrect coding of the activity at the source. Activity checks are made and enterprises that are found to have different activities from the activity specified in the source data are identified.
At the same time, enterprises whose turnover is incompatible with the series are questioned and their reasons are tried to be determined.
Indices and percentage changes.
Index type: A simple index method is used in which the totals at each level are calculated by proportioning the base year average of the relevant level.
Index calculation:To calculate the trade sales volume index at fixed prices, turnover indices are adjusted for price changes.
Using the results of the "Annual Turnover Survey by Products", the product structure of each sector is determined and deflators for these sectors are calculated with appropriate price data. Turnover values at four digit activity level are adjusted for price changes using these deflators. Thus, the trade sales volume index is obtained at fixed prices.
The following price indices are used to deflate the turnover of the Section 45- Wholesale and retail trade and repair sector of motor vehicles and motorcycles;
consumer price index
domestic producer price index
non-domestic producer price index
The following price indices are used to deflate the turnover of the Section 46- Wholesale trade, except of motor vehicles and motorcycles;
consumer price index
domestic producer price index
non-domestic producer price index
agricultural products producer price index
Consumer Price Indices and average price data are used to deflate the turnover of the Section 47- Retail trade, except of motor vehicles and motorcycles sector. For this purpose, CPI results produced at "Classification of Individual Consumption According to Purpose (COICOP)" level are calculated according to NACE Rev.2 level. The COICOP NACE transformation is achieved by using the results of the "Annual Turnover Survey By Products”.
In calculating retail sales volume index; since CPI is compiled as VAT included, the Turnover Indices are also calculated in VAT included form before deflation process. Thus, the possible changes in the VAT rates do not affect the volume measure.
Data source is administrative records.
SCT and VAT no.1 declarations received monthly from the Revenue Administration are used.
Data is taken from the revenue administration via File Transfer Protocol (FTP). Afterwards, validations are done and the data is transferred to the database by the relevant IT unit .
Monthly.
42 days. Results are published in an average of 42 days from the reference month.
Timetable of data collection: SCT and VAT no.1 declarations are compiled monthly from the Revenue Administration on the 1-5th day of the month.
Indices are comparable with EU and other countries. Methodological studies are done with close cooperation between Eurostat.
The same statistical definitions are applied in the entire Turkish national territory.
It is produced and disseminated at average t+42 days. Retail Sales Indices are available from 2010, trade turnover index is available from 2009 and trade sales volume index is available from 2010. There are no breaks in the series.
