Retail sales increased by 0.8% month-on-month and decreased by 2.0% year-on-year
In March 2021, the volume of retail trade decreased by 1.5% in raw data and by 2.0% in calendar-adjusted data, compared with the same period of the previous year, due to the impact of new restrictions affecting retail trade from 8 March and the base effect of the epidemic that started last year. The seasonally and calendar-adjusted volume of retail sales increased by 0.8% compared to the previous month. In March 2021, the volume of sales, adjusted for calendar effects, decreased by 2.0% in specialized and non-specialized food shops, by 5.9% in non-food retail trade and increased by 2.1% in automotive fuel retailing. In January–March 2021, the volume of sales – also according to calendar adjusted data – was 3.2% lower than in the corresponding period of the previous year.
In March 2021, compared to the same period of the previous year, adjusted for calendar effects:
The volume of domestic retail sales decreased by 2.0%.
The volume of sales decreased by 2.0% in specialized and non-specialized food retailing. The volume of sales decreased by 1.8% in non-specialized food and beverages shops accounting for 76% of food retailing and by 2.9% in specialized food, beverage and tobacco stores.
Non-food retailing was the main sector affected by the closures, with turnover down by 5.9% overall. Sales rose in non-specialized shops dealing in manufactured goods (8.8%). The volume of sales fell in pharmaceutical, medical goods and cosmetics shops (19%), books, computer equipment and other specialized stores (22%), furniture and electrical goods stores (46%), textiles, clothing and footwear shops (48%) as well as in second hand goods shops (59%).
Mail order and internet retailing, which covers a wide range of goods and accounts for 13% of retail sales, grew by 62% in volume to a record HUF 140 billion..
After one year, the turnover of petrol stations has started to grow again, with a 2.1% volume increase compared to last year.
Sales in motor vehicles and motor vehicle parts and accessories stores not belonging to retail data increased by 2.9%.
In March 2021:
Domestic retail sales amounted to HUF 1,095 billion at current prices.
Specialized and non-specialized food shops accounted for 51% of all retail sales, while the relevant figures for non-food retail trade and retail trade of petrol stations were 34% and 15% respectively.
In January–March 2021, compared to the same period of the previous year, adjusted for calendar effects:
The volume of sales in retail shops decreased by 3.2%.
The volume of sales decreased by 1.4% in specialized and non-specialized food shops, by 4.0% in non-food retail trade and by 5.8% in automotive fuel retailing.
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 | ||||||
| 2020 | March | 112.7 | 101.0 | 84.2 | 103.7 | 104.5 |
| April | 99.6 | 85.0 | 73.7 | 89.7 | 89.7 | |
| May | 101.8 | 99.2 | 85.5 | 97.8 | 97.0 | |
| June | 98.5 | 105.9 | 89.3 | 100.0 | 100.8 | |
| July | 103.3 | 100.4 | 93.0 | 100.4 | 100.4 | |
| August | 99.8 | 100.4 | 95.4 | 99.2 | 98.8 | |
| September | 102.0 | 96.9 | 90.3 | 98.1 | 98.5 | |
| October | 101.2 | 98.3 | 89.5 | 98.0 | 97.6 | |
| November | 101.8 | 99.6 | 90.7 | 99.3 | 99.7 | |
| December | 101.9 | 91.7 | 88.3 | 96.1 | 96.8 | |
| 2020 | January–December | 103.0 | 99.6 | 90.1 | 99.7 | 99.8 |
| 2021 | January | 101.5 | 97.6 | 91.4 | 98.1 | 97.4 |
| February | 96.5 | 96.6 | 89.6 | 94.1 | 94.4 | |
| March | 98.0 | 94.1 | 102.1 | 98.0 | 98.5 | |
| 2021 | January-March | 98.6 | 96.0 | 94.2 | 96.8 | 96.8 |