Published on: 7 May 2024

Retail sales increased by 4.2% compared to the same period last year and by 2.0% compared to the previous month

In March 2024, the volume of sales in retail trade increased by 3.6% according to raw data and by 4.2% when adjusted for calendar effects compared to the same period of the previous year. Calendar-adjusted sale volumes grew by 5.7% in specialized and non-specialized food shops, by 3.3% in automotive fuel retailing and by 0.6% in non-food retailing. According to seasonally and calendar adjusted data, the volume of retail sales increased by 2.0% compared to the previous month. In January–March 2024, the volume of sales – also according to calendar adjusted data – was 2.2% higher than in the corresponding period of the previous year.

In March 2024, compared to the same period of the previous year, adjusted for calendar effects:

The volume of domestic retail sales increased by 4.2%.

The volume of sales grew by 5.7% in specialized and non-specialized food retailing. The volume of sales increased by 5.7% in non-specialized food and beverages shops accounting for 77% of food retailing and by 4.8% in specialized food, beverage and tobacco stores.1

The turnover of non-food retailing increased by a total of 0.6% in volume. Sales volumes rose by 3.9% in pharmaceutical, medical goods and cosmetics shops, by 2.3% in non-specialized shops dealing in manufactured goods and by 1.5% in books, computer equipment and other specialized stores, while sales volumes decreased by 1.9% in textiles, clothing and footwear shops, by 4.4% in furniture and electrical goods stores and by 5.9% in second-hand goods shops.

The volume of mail order and internet retailing accounting for 7.4% of all retail sales and involving a wide range of goods rose by 4.2%.

The volume of sales in automotive fuel stations increased by 3.3%.

Sales in motor vehicles and motor vehicle parts and accessories stores not belonging to retail data increased by 4.3%.

In March 2024:

Domestic retail sales amounted to HUF 1,586 billion at current prices.

51% of the national retail turnover was generated in specialized and non-specialized food shops, 33% in non-food retail trade and 16% in automotive fuel stations.

In January–March 2024, compared to the same period of the previous year, adjusted for calendar effects:

The volume of retail trade rose by 2.2%.

The volume of sales rose by 3.1% in specialized and non-specialized food shops and by 3.9% in automotive fuel retail trade, and fell by 0.7% in non-food retail trade.

Volume indices on sales in retail shops

(Same period of the previous year = 100.0)

(%)

Period Retail sales of food, drinks and tobacco Retail sales of non-food products Retail sales of automotive fuel Retail sales, total Retail sales, total, unadjusted (raw) data
adjusted for calendar effects
2023March89.291.270.586.887.4
April91.489.377.087.486.4
May92.989.074.087.787.3
June95.095.775.991.892.2
July95.994.579.592.492.3
August96.094.881.992.993.0
September97.992.480.092.692.2
October98.194.978.993.593.5
November99.496.178.694.694.6
December101.796.9103.799.899.0
2023January–December95.493.880.492.192.2
2024January100.299.1104.6100.6100.6
February103.098.1103.8101.6104.6
March105.7100.6103.3104.2103.6
2024January–March103.199.3103.9102.2103.0