Retail sales continue to underwhelm

In July 2025, compared to the same period of the previous year, adjusted for calendar effects the volume of domestic retail sales increased by 1.7%.

The volume of sales grew by 2.3% in specialized and non-specialized food retailing. The volume of sales increased by 3.4% in non-specialized food and beverages shops accounting for 76% of food retailing and fell by 1.2% in specialized food, beverage and tobacco stores.

The turnover of non-food retailing increased by a total of 2.9% in volume. Sales volumes rose by 5.4% in pharmaceutical, medical goods and cosmetics shops, by 3.6% in non-specialized shops dealing in manufactured goods and by 0.9% in furniture and electrical goods stores. However, the volume of sales decreased by 0.9% in books, computer equipment and other specialized stores, by 1.2% in textiles, clothing and footwear shops and by 1.6% in second-hand goods shops.

The volume of mail order and internet retailing accounting for 8.1% of all retail sales and involving a wide range of goods grew by 6.8%.

The volume of sales in automotive fuel stations decreased by 2.4%.

Sales volume in motor vehicles and motor vehicle parts and accessories stores not belonging to retail data increased by 17%.

In July 2025 domestic retail sales amounted to HUF 1,739 billion at current prices.

50% of the national retail turnover was generated in specialized and non-specialized food shops, 35% in non-food retail trade and 15% in automotive fuel stations.
In January–July 2025, compared to the same period of the previous year, adjusted for calendar effects:

The volume of retail trade rose by 2.9% the volume of sales rose by 2.8% in specialized and non-specialized food shops, by 4.2% in non-food retail trade and by 0.5% in automotive fuel retail trade.