Sales in Hungarian Retail Shops Fell by 12.6%

In April 2023, the volume of sales in retail trade – along with a significant base effect - decreased by 13.6% according to raw data and by 12.6% when adjusted for calendar effects compared to the same period of the previous years. It is reported to be largest decrease in Europe.

Calendar-adjusted sales volumes decreased by 8.6% in specialized and non-specialized food shops, by 10.7% in non-food retailing and by 22.9% in automotive fuel retailing. According to seasonally and calendar adjusted data, the volume of retail sales was 0.9% down on the previous month. In January–April 2023, the volume of sales – also according to calendar adjusted data – was 10.4% lower than in the corresponding period of the previous year, according to the Central Statistical Office.

In April 2023, compared to the same period of the previous year, adjusted for calendar effects:
The volume of domestic retail sales decreased by 12.6%.

The volume of sales decreased by 8.6% in specialized and non-specialized food retailing. The volume of sales decreased by 10% in non-specialized food and beverages shops accounting for 76% of food retailing and by 4.1% in specialized food, beverage and tobacco stores.

The turnover of non-food retailing decreased by a total of 10.7% in volume. Sales volumes rose by 5.4% in pharmaceutical, medical goods and cosmetics shops, while sales volumes decreased by 0.3% in second-hand goods shops, by 9.6% in textiles, clothing and footwear shops, by 12% in books, computer equipment and other specialized stores and by 20-20% in non-specialized shops dealing in manufactured goods and furniture and electrical goods stores.

The volume of mail order and internet retailing accounting for 7.7% of all retail sales and involving a wide range of goods fell by 8.4%.

The volume of sales in automotive fuel stations was 22.9% down on the same month last year.

Sales in motor vehicles and motor vehicle parts and accessories stores not belonging to retail data decreased by 4.4%.

In April 2023:
Domestic retail sales amounted to HUF 1,479 billion at current prices.

Specialized and non-specialized food shops accounted for 49% of all retail sales, while the relevant figures for non-food retail trade and retail trade of petrol stations were 35% and 16%, respectively.

In January–April 2023, compared to the same period of the previous year, adjusted for calendar effects:
The volume of retail trade decreased by 10.4%.

The volume of sales fell by 8.2% in specialized and non-specialized food shops, by 8.1% in non-food retail trade and by 20.2% in automotive fuel retail trade.