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.
Agency for Statistics of Bosnia and Herzegovina (BHAS)
1.2. Contact organisation unit
Business Statistics Sector – Department for Services Statistics
1.3. Contact name
Confidential because of GDPR
1.4. Contact person function
Confidential because of GDPR
1.5. Contact mail address
Zelenih beretki 26, 71 000 - Sarajevo
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
20 August 2025
2.2. Metadata last posted
20 August 2025
2.3. Metadata last update
20 August 2025
3.1. Data description
The data are published in the form: monthly and annual change rates calculated from the real indices of retail trade turnover (G47) in BiH, monthly series of base real indices (2021 = 100), and real and nominal gross indicators (growth rates and indices) in line with the Classification of Economic Activities of BiH 2010 (hereinafter: KD BiH 2010), collected by using monthly survey on retail trade (M KPS TRG-1) in BiH. In addition, quarterly and annual change rates calculated from the distributive trade turnover indices of BiH (G45, G46), quarterly series of base indices (2021 = 100), and gross (unadjusted) indicators (growth rates and indices) are published.
3.2. Classification system
Classification of Economic Activities of BiH 2010 (KD BiH 2010) for enterprises (fully harmonized with all levels of NACE Rev.2).
Classification of Products by activities BiH 2016 (KPPD BiH 2016), fully harmonized with all 6-digit levels of CPA 2.1.
3.3. Coverage - sector
Coverage of activities: The monthly retail trade survey covers business entities /legal units which are, by the main activity, registered within retail trade, except retail trade of motor vehicles and motorcycles (division 47 - KD BiH 2010), and businesses entities which are, according to their main activity, classified in other activities, but also performing retail trade. The quarterly distributive trade survey comprises business entities /legal units which are, by the main activity, registered within trade activity (section G- KD BiH 2010), and in minor extent businesses which are, according to their main activity, classified in other activities (industry, construction, hotels and restaurants etc.), but also perform trade activities.
Coverage by size: For both trade surveys, monthly survey on retail trade and quarterly distributive trade survey in BiH the combined method of full coverage and stratified random sampling is used. The sample is divided into strata according to the entity to which the business entity belongs, the class of financial data (financial report for the previous year) and the activities of the business entity (divisions G45, G46 and G47 -KD BiH 2010). The number of employees is used as an auxiliary stratification variable. Entrepreneurs are not included.
3.4. Statistical concepts and definitions
Retail trade turnover index (RTI) is calculated by aggregating the realized retail trade turnover for referent month. Distributive trade turnover index (DTI) is calculated by aggregating the realized turnover data for referent quarter. Turnover is the total invoiced amount that a business entity invoices to third parties for sold goods during the reference period, and it corresponds to their market values. Includes costs associated with the sale, such as transportation, packaging, etc. that are transferred to the customer, even if these amounts are stated separately on invoices. Value Added Tax (VAT) is excluded from the turnover. Income classified as other operating income, financial income and extraordinary income in company accounts are excluded from realised turnover. Turnover of retail trade activities includes the value of all goods sold to individuals for personal use or use in household in the observed period, including:
The turnover of consumables includes turnover generated by business entities registered in the activities 47.11 and 47.2. (mainly food, beverages and tobacco products)
The turnover of non-food products includes various retail goods that business subjects registered in the activities of 47.19, 47.4-47.9 generated.
Turnover of other activities includes the value of all goods sold and services provided on the market (wholesale, mediation in wholesale trade, hotels and restaurants, transport and other activities).
Nominal turnover index is expressed in current prices (unadjusted for price effect). For users of statistical data it is very important to follow the evolution of phenomena in time and for these purposes we use real index of retail trade. Real index of Retail trade is expressed in constant prices, and it is calculated by deflating retail trade turnover by adjusted Consumer Price Index.
3.5. Statistical unit
Observation units in the retail and distributive trade statistical surveys are business entities/legal persons that are, according to the main activity registered to perform following activities:
wholesale and retail trade and repair of motor vehicles and motorcycles (G45);
wholesale trade, except of motor vehicles and motorcycles (G46);
retail trade, with the exception of trade in motor vehicles and motorcycles (G47);
in a minor extent business entities which are classified according to the main activity in other activities but also perform activities.
3.6. Statistical population
The target population covers all active enterprises that are according to the main activity in the Statistical Business Register registered within trade activities - divisions G45, G46 and G47 - KDBiH 2010. In addition, business entities /legal units that are according to the main activity registered in other activities (outside the section G), but realize a significant turnover in trade activities. Entrepreneurs are not covered by the surveys.
3.7. Reference area
Data refer to the whole territory of BiH.
3.8. Coverage - Time
Data on the retail trade turnover index covers time series starting from January 2006 and data are regularly published on monthly basis. Distributive trade turnover index covers time series starting from first quarter of 2006 and data are regularly published on quarterly basis. Data are available as gross indices as well as seasonal and calendar adjusted turnover indices.
3.9. Base period
Retail trade and distributive trade turnover index are calculated on the base (2021) year and used in the calculation of the indices from January 2024. RTI are presented as nominal and real index values.
Data are published as turnover indices and growth rates (in %).
The reference period is a calendar month for RT and a calendar quarter for DT.
6.1. Institutional Mandate - legal acts and other agreements
Law on Statistics of BiH (Official Gazette of BiH No. 26/04 and 42/04), as well as laws on statistics of the entity statistical institutions. Agency for statistics of Bosnia and Herzegovina is responsible for data collection, data processing and data publishing for the state level (BiH level) as well as for implementation of methodology in all three statistical institutions in BiH in a unique way;
Multi-annual statistical work programmes for BiH (2025 – 2028) and Annual work plans of BiH;
Strategy for development of statistics of Bosnia and Herzegovina 2030;
Methodological guidelines retail trade turnover index for BiH;
International recommendations and manuals (Eurostat, IMF, UN);
EU Regulation 2019/2152 on European business statistics and Commission Implementing Regulation 2020/1197.
6.2. Institutional Mandate - data sharing
Data delivery/exchange between the Entity Statistical Offices (Republika Srpska Institute of Statistics and Federal Institute for Statistics of the Federation of BiH) and the Agency for Statistics of BiH is regulated by the Laws on statistics, as well as an Agreement on the exchange of data between all three statistical institutions;
Data delivery to external users - state institutions in the country, which is regulated by the Law on Statistics and other laws that regulate the work of state institutions (eg. Directorate for Economic Planning BiH; Ministry of Finance of BiH; Central Bank of BiH etc.);
Statistical Office of the European Union (Eurostat);
External users – international organisations like UN Statistics Division (UNSD), International Monetary Fund (IMF), World Bank (WB), etc. based on their requests and/or agreements signed;
Other users (students, academic community, individual users, etc.) in accordance with special procedures defined by the Agency and with the individual agreements signed.
7.1. Confidentiality - policy
Law has regulated confidentiality of statistical data, and staff conducting statistical survey are obliged, under the same legislation, to protect confidentiality. The Law on Statistics of BiH (Official Gazette of BIH 26/04 and 42/04 - Chapter XI - Articles 23-29) sets forth the principle of confidentiality as one of the main principles. The Agency for Statistics of BiH disseminates statistics in accordance with the statistical principles of the European Statistics Code of Practice, and especially with the principle of statistical confidentiality.
7.2. Confidentiality - data treatment
The document titled “Book of Rules on Protection of Statistical Data in the Agency for Statistics” contains the procedure to secure confidentiality during data gathering, processing and dissemination - which includes protocols securing individual data to which access is allowed, rules defining confidential cells in the output tables and procedures for detection and prevention of subsequent disclosures, as well access to micro-data for the survey purposes.
8.1. Release calendar
Release calendar for Statistical Press Releases in BiH is published in advance for the entire year and it contains detailed information about all publications planned to be published. In December every year, the Agency for Statistics of BIH publishes on a website a calendar with accurate dates and time of publication of statistics for the next year (the calendar is published on the website and in .pdf format). Deadline for publishing retail trade turnover index is 28th day of the month for the previous (reference) month (for example, 28.04. for the March as reference month). Deadline for publishing the Distributive trade turnover index is 55 days (t+55) after the end of referent quarter (t), in example: 25.05. for the first quarter.
8.2. Release calendar access
The release calendar of Statistical publications for publicity in BiH for the year 2025 is available on the following BHAS website (Calendar).
8.3. Release policy - user access
All press releases are published in accordance with the defined Release calendar on an exactly specified date at 11 o’clock, on the Agency’s website. If the release is delayed, the relevant information are posted on the website and a new date/time schedule is announced. All publications for users are available in 4 languages, including 3 local languages and English version. Users do not have access to new data prior to their official publication on the AgencyS’s website, nor is possible for them to be granted access to the data earlier. The principle that all users should have equal access to statistical data on an unbiased bases is set out in Article 8, paragraph (2), subparagraph h) and Article 19, paragraph (2) of the Law on Statistics of BiH, and BHAS consistently implements it in practice.
Retail trade turnover index (RTI) for BiH is disseminated monthly and Distributive trade turnover index (DTI) for BiH is disseminated quarterly.
10.1. Dissemination format - News release
Press releases of the Retail trade turnover index are published on the 28th day of a month for the previous month (t+28) and Distributive trade turnover indices are published on regular quarterly basis (t+55) in accordance with the defined date of publishing in the Release calendar, at 11 o’clock, on the Agency’s website: in pdf format and also as a hard copy, upon request. The following press releases are hereby published:
Turnover indices are available as gross indices, calendar and seasonal adjusted for the BiH level of chosen classes, groups and total trade in BiH, divisions G45, G46 and G47 - KD BiH 2010.
Development of the Quality Report is in progress and the one will be available on Agency’s website.
11.1. Quality assurance
BHAS follows the recommendations for quality management and organisation provided in the European Statistics Code of Practice (CoP) and implements the guidelines provided in the European Statistics System Quality Assurance Framework (QAF). More details about quality assurance and all procedures describing the BHAS quality policy are contained in the document: BHAS Quality management policy and mechanisms.
11.2. Quality management - assessment
The Retail trade turnover index (RTI) and Distributive trade turnover index (DTI) are important indicators of economic activity of the country, which helps government bodies and companies from the private sector in the decision-making process. It is applied for the assessment of the results of the retail sector, household consumption, as well as the calculation of national accounts. The data for RTI and DTI are the result of conducting a two-standalone STS surveys with a high response rate of reporting units as well as the consistency of the data obtained, which are submitted through a regular monthly/quarterly surveys. RTI and DTI are calculated and published for BiH and submitted to Eurostat in accordance with the internationally recommended methodology applied by all three statistical institutions in BiH in a harmonized manner. Data are published on a regular monthly basis, accurately and on the same date, and are available to the users. RTI and DTI are also internationally comparable because it‘s produced in line with EU and international concepts, definitions and classifications. In addition, it is comparable from the time distance and frequency of publishing, and it is comparable with other surveys, primarily the quarterly distributive trade survey, annual structural business statistics and national accounts.
Note: In 2015, the Sector Peer Review for Business Statistics was conducted, which provided an assessment of the RTI survey and proposals for improving its quality.
12.1. Relevance - User Needs
Key users of the RTI and DTI surveys in statistics data are:
International main users: Eurostat, IMF, UN/UNECE, OECD, WB;
National main users: Directorate for Economic Planning of BiH with the Council of Ministers of BiH, Foreign Trade Chamber of BiH, Central Bank of BiH, Ministry of Finance of BiH, other bodies and institutions of the Government;
Other users: business entities – enterprises, banking sector, association of employers, researchers and students, media and general public;
Internally, these data are used for the National Account statistics for production of the GDP and for comparisons and controls in the Structural Business Statistics and Short-term Business Statistics.
12.2. Relevance - User Satisfaction
The Agency for Statistics of BiH is conducting a user satisfaction survey, carried out in 2023. This survey is conducted in 3-annual periodicity. The total of 242 users were asked to respond to the questionnaire and 61 users provided their responses. Most interviewees visit the internet site and use the Agency’ statistical data occasionally (44.0%) or monthly (18.0%), at the same time, our website is daily visited by 10.0% interviewees. Most interviewees are interested in the statistical field of employment and salaries (56.0%). Report on the survey conducted is posted on the Agency’s website and is available to the users:
Please find more information at the BHAS website (Document).
Users’ main needs for data pertain to the website notification format. Namely, for the purpose of easier data management and their analysis, pdf format of the notification does not suit the users’ needs and efforts are being made for excel tables to also be posted.
RTI and DTI in BiH are very important primary source of data to a large number of relevant authorities which are decision makers for the public and private sector. For example:
enables the BiH authorities to prepare themselves for bilateral and multilateral negotiations within trade agreements;
forms an important source of information for the Balance of Payments and National Accounts statistics and for economics studies;
helps enterprises to conduct the market survey and develop their business strategy.
12.3. Completeness
Having in mind the requirements from the EU Regulation 2019/2152 on European business statistics and Commission Implementing Regulation 2020/1197, which refers to the level of detail for RTI and DTI (Variables: 140201 Volume of sales - TOVV and 140301 Net turnover (value) - TOVT), as well as the length of time series, all requirements are met. Time series are available from January 2006 for the divisions G45, G46 and G47 by KD BiH 2010.
13.1. Accuracy - overall
Monthly data for RTI and quarterly data for DTI are obtained by using the reporting method, using the seperate paper questionnaires (M KPS TRG 01 and K KPS TRG 02) and represent the basis for estimating data for the total population. Considering a very high response rate, for RTI (approximately 98.1%) and for DTI (approximately 97.4%) the overall accuracy is very good. For all reporting units included into the sample, data must be completed before data compilation. Reporting units are re-called or visited and, if even after re-calling it is not possible to obtain data from them, imputation shall be applied
13.2. Sampling error
There is no estimation available, nor has the sampling error been assessed, because it is very difficult to calculate it. RTI and DTI indices were calculated using a combined method of full coverage (large and medium size enterprises) and stratified random sample (small enterprises, annual turnover less than 1 million euros).
13.3. Non-sampling error
Data are partly available based on the reports obtained from STS - IT application for survey on retail trade, and they refer to the coverage errors and non-response errors.
Coverage error: total coverage error for RTI is approximately 0.3% and for DTI 0.5%.
Over-coverage rate: The over-coverage rate for RTI is 0.2% and for DTI 0.4%.
Common units proportion: RTI and DTI surveys does not combine data (do not use units) from two or more data sources (eg. administrative and statistical data). These data are obtained based only on the conducted monthly statistical survey on retail trade.
Measurement error: Measurement errors may occur during the filling in questionnaire by the reporting units and during the data entry into the STS - IT application by the data entry operator in statistical institutions in BiH. The first data validation, so-called visual data validation, is performed during the collecting questionnaire from the reporting units (uncompleted data, illegible data, etc.). After entering collected data from the questionnaires into the SPPI IT application, database with raw data is created. Afterwards micro-data is automatically validated at the enterprise level, trough previously established logical controls. Primary data validation is performed by the Entity Institutes for Statistics – FIS and RSIS, while for the territory of the Brčko District, the control is performed by the branch office of the BHAS. Additional controls are only possible at the aggregated level at which the entity Institutes submits their respective data to the Agency for Statistics of BiH.
Unit non-response rate: The total non-response rate for RTI is approx. 1.9% and for DTI 2.6%. In case of unit non-response, the following imputation methods are used: based on data from the previous month, the same month of the previous year or based on data on the turnover of the most similar units (same stratum). In case of non-respons for individual items, the reporting units are contacted by phone, until the requested information is obtained. Further verification of the submitted data is performed by applying logical and mathematical controls during and after entering data into the STS IT application.
14.1. Timeliness
Data collection for RTI is done on monthly basis and reporting units have deadline for data delivery 10th in the month for the previous (reference) month. For DTI data collection is done on quarterly basis. Reporting units have deadline 15 days after the end of the quarter for submitting data for the previous (reference) quarter. For both surveys, few more days are available for re-calling of reporting units, which did not delivered the report in order to get the data for all reporting units. Deadline for publishing RTI is T+28 days and for DTI is 55 days after the end of referent quarter (t+55) for the level of BiH. First results shall become final on the date of publication of the press release for the next month/quarter.
14.2. Punctuality
There is no discrepancy between the announced and the real date of publishing (according to the Release calendar). All 12 press releases of the monthly RTI survey and the fourth quarterly press releases of DTI are published on the date of publication as foreseen in the Release Calendar.
15.1. Comparability - geographical
Considering that the RTI and DTI results are published in accordance with the EU Regulation 2019/2152 on European business statistics and Commission Implementing Regulation 2020/1197, the results are comparable with those of other countries (EU primarily) which apply this Regulation, methodology and relevant classifications.
15.2. Comparability - over time
Available historical data series of retail trade (RTI) and distributive trade (DTI) data have been recalculated for the period 2006-2012 using the "matched sampling" and "overlapping" (overlapping period) methods in order to avoid break in series and maintain the consistency and continuity of the available RTI and DTI data series from the January of 2006. The monthly RTI and quarterly DTI surveys, conducted by the entity statistical offices until the end of 2012, was partially in line with the requirements of EU STS regulations. Since January 2013, a unique methodology has been applied in all three statistical institutions in BiH, which is fully compliant with the requirements of the EU Regulation 2019/2152 on European business statistics and Commission Implementing Regulation 2020/1197. In 2013, all RTI and DTI time series that were calculated by using NACE Rev.1.1 are backcasted on NACE Rev.2 by using the macro approach (at the macro level). In 2018, all time series calculated on the base year 2010 (2010=100) have been recalculated to the base year (2015=100) and in 2024 to the new base year (2021=100) to ensure comparability over time.
15.3. Coherence - cross domain
A reference survey on monthly retail trade and quarterly distributive trade survey are fully harmonised with the requirements of the EU Regulation 2019/2152 on European business statistics and Commission Implementing Regulation 2020/1197. Monthly retail trade survey and quarterly statistics of distributive trade are mutually consistent and there is no significant deviation in the trend of the turnover indices. Approximately, it is possible to compare the data of this survey with the annual data of the Structural Business Statistics and the National Accounts, and in most cases the data are consistent
15.4. Coherence - internal
RTI and DTI are fully coherent on different aggregation level by NACE activity (class, group, special aggregates and total divisions G45, G46 and G47) for the observed data set. RTI and DTI are also adjusted (seasonally adjusted) using TRAMO/SEATS method, which is based on the ARIMA model. Adjustments are made for total, group level, as well, as special aggregates. Seasonally and calendar adjusted data are compared with the original data and they show mutual coherence.
Data on monthly retail trade and quarterly distributive trade survey are collected by using paper questionnaires, which requires a significant funding and human resources. Data are collected by three statistical institutions: Federal Institute of Statistics of FBIH for the territory of Federation of BIH, Republika Srpska Institute of Statistics for the territory of Republika Srpska and the Agency for Statistics of BiH for the Brčko District of BiH. Approximately, 4 people are involved in data collection process and data compilation process on monthly basis. In addition, one IT expert per institution is responsible for development and maintenance of IT application (20% of his working time). All three statistical institutions have very high costs of printing the questionnaires, postal and telephone costs. Response burden is not very high, approximately 5 minutes for fulfilling the questionnaires per respondent.
17.1. Data revision - policy
There is no officially defined data revision policy, except in the case of an error when the published revised data are marked as "corrected data ". Then the explanation is given to all users about the reason for the data correction/revision. The corrected press release is published on the Agency's website. After the publication of the corrected data on the Agency's website, data are also sent to Eurostat.
17.2. Data revision - practice
The regular monthly retail trade and quarterly distributive trade press releases contains preliminary data that refer to the reference period (t). The first regular revision of data implies when publishing data for the next period, data published for the previous period (t-1) are revised in accordance with the information submitted by the reporting units. The second regular revision of published data is the annual revision, which includes all changes in the data submitted after the first revision, in order to ensure the accuracy of the published data. Seasonally adjusted indices are regularly revised due to seasonal effect with no significant influence on level of revision.Data revision, which occurred by publishing seasonally adjusted data for the previous period, is not published to users, except in the Methodological notes in the RTI and DTI press releases. These notes contain a description of the applied method of seasonal adjustment (the scope of the data revision incurred by applying seasonal adjustment are not measured). Corrections of press releases resulting from errors shall be published automatically by releasing a revised/corrected press release including a note and explanation to users concerning the reason of the revision/correction. Revised/corrected data are also transmitted to Eurostat on the same date when revised/corrected data are published on the website of the Agency.
Usually, big revisions are done in a way that representatives of all three statistical institutions have to discuss together and agree on new proposed Statistical Standards/methodologies that will require data revision. Main changes in the methodology, a change of the base year and similar shall be published on the Agency’s website. All methodology changes are thoroughly explained in the Press release, in the section Methodological Notes.
Mean Revision (MR) and Mean Absolute Revision (MAR) are used as revision indicators. They are calculated on year-on-year growth rates for original data.
The calculated values for the last 36 months for RTI value are:
MR= 0.02
MAR=0.14
RTI volume are:
MR= 0.20 and
MAR=0.35
The calculated values for the last 20 quarters for DTI are:
MR= -0.14
MAR=0.21
18.1. Source data
The Monthly Retail Trade Survey (questioonaire M KPS TRG-1) is the main source of data for the calculation of RTI, which is conducted in the traditional way by sending paper questionnaires on the field by post. The source of data for filling in the questionnaire is the bookkeeping or other relevant documentation of the enterprise. The main observed variable for RTI is the monthly turnover of a business entity registered within retail trade activities, without VAT.
For DTI main observed variable is realized quarterly turnover of a business entity registered within trade activities, without VAT. In accordance with EBS regulation VAT is calculated and shown separately. Data are collected at the level of the business entity.
18.2. Frequency of data collection
Frequency of data collection for RTI is monthly, with the deadline for data delivery 10th in the month for the previous reference month.
For DTI, frequency of data collection is quarterly, with the deadline for data delivery 15 day (t+15) for the referent quarter (t).
18.3. Data collection
The RTI and DTI surveys are conducted by using paper questionnaires, which means that the business entities submit the filled questionnaire (within a certain deadline) to cantonal statistical office of FIS, regional statistical office of the RSIS, or to the branch office of the Agency for Statistics in BD BiH. At the beginning of the year sets of questionnaires for RTI - M KPS TRG 01 (12 sets) and for DTI - K KPS TRG 02 (4 sets) are sent to all reporting units.
18.4. Data validation
Data entry and validation are done by the authorized entity statistical offices for the territories of the entities, and for the Brčko District of BiH it is performed by the Branch office of the Agency for Statistics of BiH. Logical controls (large increase or decrease of turnover) and detecting of outliers are performed in the process of submitting and entering data into the STS IT application Entity institutes submit to the BHAS, in the prescribed format, all data necessary for the compilation of RTI and DTI for the level of BiH. Data cross-checking controls are applied, and in case of observed “suspicious” data, the data are checked and, if necessary, the authorized institutions perform additional control of data by contacting reporting units by phone or visiting reporting units. This is a standard procedure for a long period of time, enabling to obtain data of good quality and verified data. Data validation is done automatically by applying predefined data controls through STS IT applications. The validation process includes: cross-checking (cross-cuting), comparison with previous data, etc. Afterwards, indices are produced and results are cross-checked with historical data. All verifications are performed through the STS IT application and manually (in Excel). For the data transmission to Eurostat, a special SDMX-ML format has been created that satisfies the structure of the data transmission format. No validation controls are applied to this file, because the national validation rules have already been applied.
18.5. Data compilation
The starting point is individual turnover data per enterprise weighted by weights calculated by sample strata. The initial weight for units of the same stratum equals the number of units in the stratum and the number of units in the sample. Initial weights are corrected for non-response. In order to obtain the value of the estimated totals of enterprises by strata for the final correction a ratio estimator is used (the ratio between the administrative financial data and the estimated financial data). Aggregation of turnover to higher levels (class, special aggregates, group and division level) is done before index compilation. The index compilation process for BiH level consists of the following phases:
totals of turnover in trade activities are calculated at the level of activity strata of KD BiH 2010 for the Federation of BiH, Republika Srpska and Brčko District BiH;
by data aggregation for all three territorial units, turnover data for BiH level are obtained;
turnover totals at the stratum level are summed up and thus aggregated at higher levels of activity (group, division, special aggregates);
RTI and DTI indices are obtained as the ratio of nominal turnover for the current period (for different levels of activity) and turnover realised in the base year or some previous period.
The RTI and DTI results are also shown in the form of growth rates (quarterly and annual) representing the change rates in the level of turnover in the current period as compared to the previous period.The real RTI in constant prices is obtained by deflating turnover at current prices with appropriate consumer price indices (CPI). After that, aggregation at higher levels of activity is performed and volume RTI are calculated.
18.6. Adjustment
Seasonal adjustment of gross turnover has been done by using an automated model through software Demetra v2.2 and TRAMO/SEATS methods (regression method), which is based on the ARIMA models. RTI and DTI Indices are published as gross/unadjusted, seasonal adjusted (SA) and calendar adjusted (WDA). Calendar adjusted data compared to the same period of the previous year (t-1) are presented and interpreted in a calendar adjusted form, while seasonally adjusted data which are compared with data from the previous period are presented and interpreted in seasonally adjusted form.
The data are published in the form: monthly and annual change rates calculated from the real indices of retail trade turnover (G47) in BiH, monthly series of base real indices (2021 = 100), and real and nominal gross indicators (growth rates and indices) in line with the Classification of Economic Activities of BiH 2010 (hereinafter: KD BiH 2010), collected by using monthly survey on retail trade (M KPS TRG-1) in BiH. In addition, quarterly and annual change rates calculated from the distributive trade turnover indices of BiH (G45, G46), quarterly series of base indices (2021 = 100), and gross (unadjusted) indicators (growth rates and indices) are published.
20 August 2025
Retail trade turnover index (RTI) is calculated by aggregating the realized retail trade turnover for referent month. Distributive trade turnover index (DTI) is calculated by aggregating the realized turnover data for referent quarter. Turnover is the total invoiced amount that a business entity invoices to third parties for sold goods during the reference period, and it corresponds to their market values. Includes costs associated with the sale, such as transportation, packaging, etc. that are transferred to the customer, even if these amounts are stated separately on invoices. Value Added Tax (VAT) is excluded from the turnover. Income classified as other operating income, financial income and extraordinary income in company accounts are excluded from realised turnover. Turnover of retail trade activities includes the value of all goods sold to individuals for personal use or use in household in the observed period, including:
The turnover of consumables includes turnover generated by business entities registered in the activities 47.11 and 47.2. (mainly food, beverages and tobacco products)
The turnover of non-food products includes various retail goods that business subjects registered in the activities of 47.19, 47.4-47.9 generated.
Turnover of other activities includes the value of all goods sold and services provided on the market (wholesale, mediation in wholesale trade, hotels and restaurants, transport and other activities).
Nominal turnover index is expressed in current prices (unadjusted for price effect). For users of statistical data it is very important to follow the evolution of phenomena in time and for these purposes we use real index of retail trade. Real index of Retail trade is expressed in constant prices, and it is calculated by deflating retail trade turnover by adjusted Consumer Price Index.
Observation units in the retail and distributive trade statistical surveys are business entities/legal persons that are, according to the main activity registered to perform following activities:
wholesale and retail trade and repair of motor vehicles and motorcycles (G45);
wholesale trade, except of motor vehicles and motorcycles (G46);
retail trade, with the exception of trade in motor vehicles and motorcycles (G47);
in a minor extent business entities which are classified according to the main activity in other activities but also perform activities.
The target population covers all active enterprises that are according to the main activity in the Statistical Business Register registered within trade activities - divisions G45, G46 and G47 - KDBiH 2010. In addition, business entities /legal units that are according to the main activity registered in other activities (outside the section G), but realize a significant turnover in trade activities. Entrepreneurs are not covered by the surveys.
Data refer to the whole territory of BiH.
The reference period is a calendar month for RT and a calendar quarter for DT.
Monthly data for RTI and quarterly data for DTI are obtained by using the reporting method, using the seperate paper questionnaires (M KPS TRG 01 and K KPS TRG 02) and represent the basis for estimating data for the total population. Considering a very high response rate, for RTI (approximately 98.1%) and for DTI (approximately 97.4%) the overall accuracy is very good. For all reporting units included into the sample, data must be completed before data compilation. Reporting units are re-called or visited and, if even after re-calling it is not possible to obtain data from them, imputation shall be applied
Data are published as turnover indices and growth rates (in %).
The starting point is individual turnover data per enterprise weighted by weights calculated by sample strata. The initial weight for units of the same stratum equals the number of units in the stratum and the number of units in the sample. Initial weights are corrected for non-response. In order to obtain the value of the estimated totals of enterprises by strata for the final correction a ratio estimator is used (the ratio between the administrative financial data and the estimated financial data). Aggregation of turnover to higher levels (class, special aggregates, group and division level) is done before index compilation. The index compilation process for BiH level consists of the following phases:
totals of turnover in trade activities are calculated at the level of activity strata of KD BiH 2010 for the Federation of BiH, Republika Srpska and Brčko District BiH;
by data aggregation for all three territorial units, turnover data for BiH level are obtained;
turnover totals at the stratum level are summed up and thus aggregated at higher levels of activity (group, division, special aggregates);
RTI and DTI indices are obtained as the ratio of nominal turnover for the current period (for different levels of activity) and turnover realised in the base year or some previous period.
The RTI and DTI results are also shown in the form of growth rates (quarterly and annual) representing the change rates in the level of turnover in the current period as compared to the previous period.The real RTI in constant prices is obtained by deflating turnover at current prices with appropriate consumer price indices (CPI). After that, aggregation at higher levels of activity is performed and volume RTI are calculated.
The Monthly Retail Trade Survey (questioonaire M KPS TRG-1) is the main source of data for the calculation of RTI, which is conducted in the traditional way by sending paper questionnaires on the field by post. The source of data for filling in the questionnaire is the bookkeeping or other relevant documentation of the enterprise. The main observed variable for RTI is the monthly turnover of a business entity registered within retail trade activities, without VAT.
For DTI main observed variable is realized quarterly turnover of a business entity registered within trade activities, without VAT. In accordance with EBS regulation VAT is calculated and shown separately. Data are collected at the level of the business entity.
Retail trade turnover index (RTI) for BiH is disseminated monthly and Distributive trade turnover index (DTI) for BiH is disseminated quarterly.
Data collection for RTI is done on monthly basis and reporting units have deadline for data delivery 10th in the month for the previous (reference) month. For DTI data collection is done on quarterly basis. Reporting units have deadline 15 days after the end of the quarter for submitting data for the previous (reference) quarter. For both surveys, few more days are available for re-calling of reporting units, which did not delivered the report in order to get the data for all reporting units. Deadline for publishing RTI is T+28 days and for DTI is 55 days after the end of referent quarter (t+55) for the level of BiH. First results shall become final on the date of publication of the press release for the next month/quarter.
Considering that the RTI and DTI results are published in accordance with the EU Regulation 2019/2152 on European business statistics and Commission Implementing Regulation 2020/1197, the results are comparable with those of other countries (EU primarily) which apply this Regulation, methodology and relevant classifications.
Available historical data series of retail trade (RTI) and distributive trade (DTI) data have been recalculated for the period 2006-2012 using the "matched sampling" and "overlapping" (overlapping period) methods in order to avoid break in series and maintain the consistency and continuity of the available RTI and DTI data series from the January of 2006. The monthly RTI and quarterly DTI surveys, conducted by the entity statistical offices until the end of 2012, was partially in line with the requirements of EU STS regulations. Since January 2013, a unique methodology has been applied in all three statistical institutions in BiH, which is fully compliant with the requirements of the EU Regulation 2019/2152 on European business statistics and Commission Implementing Regulation 2020/1197. In 2013, all RTI and DTI time series that were calculated by using NACE Rev.1.1 are backcasted on NACE Rev.2 by using the macro approach (at the macro level). In 2018, all time series calculated on the base year 2010 (2010=100) have been recalculated to the base year (2015=100) and in 2024 to the new base year (2021=100) to ensure comparability over time.
