Hardly Any Change in Retail Sales in Hungary Year-On-Year

In March 2025, the volume of retail trade was 0.4% lower in raw data, or 0.4% higher in calendar (and Easter effects) adjusted terms, than in the same month of the previous year, the Hungarian Central Statistical Office reports.

Compared to the same period of the previous year, calendar-adjusted sale volumes expanded by 1.2% in specialized and non-specialized food shops, by 5.9% in non-food retailing and by 0.1% in automotive fuel retailing. According to seasonally and calendar adjusted data, the volume of retail sales was 0.5% down on the previous month. In January-March 2025, the volume of sales – also according to calendar adjusted data – was 2.7% higher than in the corresponding period of the previous year.

In March 2025, compared to the same period of the previous year, adjusted for calendar effects:
The volume of domestic retail sales increased by 0.4%

The volume of sales grew by 1.2% in specialized and non-specialized food retailing. The volume of sales increased by 2.7% in non-specialized food and beverages shops accounting for 77% of food retailing and decreased by 3.1% in specialized food, beverage and tobacco stores.

The turnover of non-food retailing increased by a total of 5.9% in volume. Sales volumes rose by 7.3% in textiles, clothing and footwear shops, by 4.8% in pharmaceutical, medical goods and cosmetics shops and in furniture and electrical goods stores, by 3.5% in second-hand goods shops and by 2.2% in non-specialized shops dealing in manufactured goods, while decreased by 5.2% in books, computer equipment and other specialized stores.

The volume of mail order and internet retailing accounting for 8.5% of all retail sales and involving a wide range of goods grew by 5.0%.

The volume of sales in automotive fuel stations increased by 0.1%.

Sales in motor vehicles and motor vehicle parts and accessories stores not belonging to retail data decreased by 0.7%

In March 2025:
Domestic retail sales amounted to HUF 1,630 billion at current prices.

49% of the national retail turnover was generated in specialized and non-specialized food shops, 36% in non-food retail trade and 15% in automotive fuel stations.

In January–March 2025, compared to the same period of the previous year, adjusted for calendar effects:
The volume of retail trade rose by 2.7%.

The volume of sales rose by 3.0 in specialized and non-specialized food shops, by 5.6% in non-food retail trade and by 0.8% in automotive fuel retail trade.