Retail sales up by 3.7 percent in April

Retail sales were up by an annual 3.2 percent when adjusted for calendar-year effects.

Adjusted food sales rose by 3.6 percent, non-food sales increased by 4.3 percent, and vehicle fuel sales were up by 2.0 percent.

Month on month, retail sales edged down by 0.9 percent when adjusted for seasonal and calendar year effects.

Between January and April, retail sales rose by an adjusted 2.4 percent from the same period a year earlier.

Commenting on the data, the National Economy Ministry said consumption is in the recovery phase as a result of government measures to bring down inflation. Looking ahead, economic growth will resume this year, reaching 2.5 percent this year and 4.1 percent in 2025, supported by expanding consumption and the further strengthening of retail sales, the ministry added in a statement.