Ukraine's retail trade turnover reaches pre-quarantine level – PrivatBank

Ukraine's largest state-owned PrivatBank says the country's trade turnover in major retail sectors in May 2020 reached the pre-crisis level, nearing the figures of February 2020.

Grocery retail is currently emerging from the coronavirus-related lockdown without losses. According to the analysis, cashless payments in the network of PrivatBank terminals across grocery stores boosted by 25% in March and April against February 2020. In May alone, the cashless payments in grocery chains grew by 23% from February, the bank's press service said on its website on June 22.

"In the first months of the quarantine, cashless turnover in pharmacies and health goods stores increased the most, namely by 30% in March against February. However, the turnover fell by 18% in May from February," the report said.

Read alsoUkraine sees increase in use of payment cards

At the same time, the market of electronics and home appliances saw the most considerable decline amid the lockdown. In March alone, cashless payments fell by 10% from February and by 43% in April. Meanwhile, the sector's turnover in May returned to its pre-quarantine level.

Cashless payments in Ukraine's gas station chains in May almost reached the pre-quarantine figures as well, after seeing a 20% decline in April.