Retail Sales Down in Hungary by 7.6% Year-on-Year

In July 2023, the volume of sales in retail trade decreased by 7.7% according to raw data and by 7.6% when adjusted for calendar effects compared to the same period of the previous year. Calendar-adjusted sale volumes decreased by 4.1% in specialized and non-specialized food shops, by 5.5% in non-food retailing and by 20.5% in automotive fuel retailing.

According to seasonally and calendar adjusted data, the volume of retail sales fell by 0.2% compared to the previous month. In January–July 2023, the volume of sales – also according to calendar adjusted data – was 9.9% lower than in the corresponding period of the previous year.

In July 2023, compared to the same period of the previous year, adjusted for calendar effects:
The volume of domestic retail sales decreased by 7.6%.

The volume of sales decreased by 4.1% in specialized and non-specialized food retailing. The volume of sales decreased by 4.1% in non-specialized food and beverages shops accounting for 76% of food retailing and by 3.8% in specialized food, beverage and tobacco stores.

The turnover of non-food retailing decreased by a total of 5.5% in volume. Sales volumes rose by 2.8% in pharmaceutical, medical goods and cosmetics shops, while sales volumes decreased by 5.7% in books, computer equipment and other specialized stores, by 6.1% in second-hand goods shops, by 6.2% in textiles, clothing and footwear shops, by 11% in non-specialized shops dealing in manufactured goods and by 16% in furniture and electrical goods stores.

The volume of mail order and internet retailing accounting for 7.0% of all retail sales and involving a wide range of goods rose by 1.4%.

The volume of sales in automotive fuel stations was 20.5% down compared to the same month of last year.

Sales in motor vehicles and motor vehicle parts and accessories stores not belonging to retail data decreased by 5.4%.