Services are a sector of growing importance in the Polish economy but in March 2008 growth in retail sales, wholesales sales and transport was lower than in January and February. In the 1st quarter growth in sales was weaker than projected.

In March 2008 retail sales in constant prices recorded by enterprises employing more than nine people were higher by 11.7% than in March 2007; in January and February retail sales were higher by 15.9% and 19.2% respectively; in the first quarter the increase was 16%. All groups of retailers recorded increases in sales in the 1st quarter. The highest growth (28.8%) was noted by retailers selling motor vehicles, motorcycles and parts. The second group recording high sales (25%) were retailers selling furniture, radio and television equipment and household appliances. The retail sales of pharmaceuticals, cosmetics and orthopaedic equipment increased by 16.3%. Retailers selling solid, liquid and gaseous fuels recorded a rise of nearly 10%. Those selling foodstuffs, beverages and tobacco products recorded a rise of 5.1%.
In the 1st quarter of 2008 wholesale sales (in current prices) recorded by enterprises providing employment to more than nine people increased by 13.1% compared to a year before.
Transport companies employing more than nine people recorded an increase in sales in constant prices of 5.6% compared to the 1st quarter of 2007. Road transport grew by 12.1%. Rail transport decreased by 6.8% on average, with a rise recorded in transit operations and a decrease in operations on the internal market and in export and import operations. Pipeline, sea and inland water transport declined compared to the 1st quarter of last year.
In the 1st quarter of 2008 the sales of postal and telecommunications services were by over 10% higher than in the 1st quarter of the previous year. Growth in the sales of telecommunications services was higher than in postal services. At the end of March the number of mobile subscribers and users stood at 41.7 million, with 109.5 subscribers and users per 100 population. In October 2007 the EU average was 111.8.
A decrease in the number of trunk lines continued in the 1st quarter. The trend started in 2005 and is due to the expansion of mobile services.