Published on: 21 February 2019

Sales of retail shops grew by 3.7% in December and by 6.0% in 2018

In December 2018, the volume of sales in retail shops increased by 3.7% according to raw data and by 4.1% adjusted for calendar effects compared to the same period of the previous year. The volume of sales, adjusted for calendar effects, did not change in specialized and non-specialized food shops and rose by 8.0% in non-food retail shops and by 4.9% in automotive fuel retailing.
In 2018, the volume of sales – also according to calendar adjusted data – was 6.0% higher than in the previous year.

In December 2018, compared to the same period of the previous year, adjusted for calendar effects:

The volume of sales in the national retail trade network as well as in mail order and internet retailing increased by 4.1%. (The data of the second estimate are equal to the data published in the first estimate.)

The volume of sales did not change in specialized and non-specialized food retailing. The volume of sales grew by 0.9% in non-specialized food and beverages shops accounting for 79% of food retailing, while it fell by 1.2% in specialized food, beverage and tobacco stores.

The turnover of non-food retailing increased by a total of 8.0%. Sales rose in pharmaceutical, medical goods and cosmetics shops (8.5%), non-specialized shops dealing in manufactured goods (8.4%), textiles, clothing and footwear shops (6.8%), as well as in furniture and electrical goods stores (5.3%). In contrast, the volume of sales fell in second hand goods shops (-3.6%), as well as in books, computer equipment and other specialized stores (-1.5%).

The volume of mail order and internet retailing accounting for 5.9% of all retail sales and involving a wide range of goods rose by 31%, continuing a multi-year expansion.

The volume of sales in automotive fuel stations increased by 4.9%.

Sales in motor vehicles and motor vehicle parts and accessories stores not belonging to retail data increased by 3.5%.

In December 2018:

Sales in the national retail trade network as well as in mail order and internet retailing were HUF 1,141 billion at current prices.

Food, drinks and tobacco stores accounted for 46% of all retail sales, while the relevant figures for non-food retail shops and the network of petrol stations were 42% and 12% respectively.

In 2018, compared to the same period of the previous year, adjusted for calendar effects:

The volume of sales in retail shops increased by 6.0%.

The volume of sales rose by 3.4% in food, drinks and tobacco shops, by 9.1% in non-food retail trade and by 6.4% in automotive fuel retailing.

Volume indices on sales in retail shops

(Same period of the previous year=100.0)

(%)

Period Retail sales of food, drinks and tobacco Retail sales of non-food products Retail sales of automotive fuel Retail sales, total Retail sales, total, unadjusted (raw) data
adjusted for calendar effects
2017December103.6111.6104.8107.0105.3
2017January–December103.2109.7103.1105.7105.4
2018January104.3112.5108.1107.7107.8
February103.6109.2109.8106.6106.6
March107.4107.4105.2107.2108.7
April102.3109.8108.6106.1104.4
May105.5109.8108.0107.7107.1
June103.1110.9105.8106.4106.8
July101.9109.3105.5105.3105.4
August104.4110.2106.2106.8106.3
September103.0107.7105.6105.4104.4
October104.0108.0104.4105.5106.4
November101.9108.2105.6104.9105.0
December100.0108.0104.9104.1103.7
2018January–December103.4109.1106.4106.0106.0