Easter shopping helps retail sales

The volume of Hungary’s retail sales grew by 0.5% month on month in March, according to data adjusted seasonally and by calendar effects, the Central Statistical Office (KSH) reported. In annual terms, sales in retail shops increased by 0.9%.

As the financial website portfolio.hu reports, the rise that came after two bad months should be taken with a pinch of salt, since - as the statistical office also signalled in its release - Easter shopping, which this year already started at the end of March, played a role in this growth, while in 2011, the Easter effect was only felt in April.

In March 2012, sales in retail shops increased by 0.9% in volume year-on-year. An increase in non-specialized and specialized food, drinks and tobacco stores, accounting for nearly half of total sales, played a determining role in this growth, while sales in petrol stations continued to decrease.

In March 2012, retail sales increased by 0.9% in volume, so no year-on-year change was seen in Q1 2012. Retail shops, mail order houses and online sales generated HUF 645.2 billion of sales in March and HUF 1758.7 billion of sales in the first quarter of 2012.

The volume of sales in non-specialized and specialized food, drinks and tobacco stores rose by 2.7% yr/yr in March. Easter shopping, which this year already started at the end of March, played a role in this growth, while in 2011, the Easter effect was only felt in April.