Published on: 5 August 2020

Sales of retail shops remained unchanged

In June 2020, retail stores were already open without epidemiological restrictions throughout the country, so their sales volume increased by 0.8% according to raw data and remained essentially unchanged according to calendar-adjusted data compared to the same period last year. The volume of sales, adjusted for calendar effects, decreased by 1.5% in specialized and non-specialized food shops, by 10.9% in automotive fuel retailing and rose by 4.9% in non-food retail shops. In January–June 2020, the volume of sales – also according to calendar adjusted data – was 1.3% higher than in the corresponding period of the previous year.

In June 2020, retail sales declined by 6.7 percentage points due to the epidemiological emergency, while without the epidemic, essentially the same level of growth can be estimated. As a result, the turnover remained unchanged compared to the same month of the previous year. The volume index for non-food retail shops was 6.3% lower, while automotive fuel retailing was 12 percentage points lower than previously estimated. Food store sales were only slightly affected by the impact of coronavirus.

In June 2020, 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 remained unchanged.

The volume of sales decreased by 1.5% in specialized and non-specialized food retailing. The volume of sales decreased by 1.4% in non-specialized food and beverages shops accounting for 75% of food retailing and decreased by 2.5% in specialized food, beverage and tobacco stores.

The turnover of non-food retailing increased by a total of 4.9%. Sales rose in non-specialized shops dealing in manufactured goods (15%), books, computer equipment and other specialized stores (9.6%), as well as in furniture and electrical goods stores (4.2%). The volume of sales fell in medical and cosmetics goods shops (-4.9%), textiles, clothing and footwear shops (-14%), as well as in second hand goods shops (-27%).

The volume of mail order and internet retailing accounting for 7.3% of all retail sales and involving a wide range of goods rose by 30% in June, continuing a multi-year expansion.

The volume of sales in automotive fuel stations decreased by 10.9%.

Sales in motor vehicles and motor vehicle parts and accessories stores not belonging to retail data decreased by 7.7%.

In June 2020:

Sales in the national retail trade network as well as in mail order and internet retailing were HUF 1,048 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 40% and 14% respectively.

In January–June 2020, compared to the same period of the previous year, adjusted for calendar effects:

The volume of sales in retail shops increased by 1.3%.

The volume of sales rose by 4.6% in specialized and non-specialized food shops, by 2.1% in non-food retail trade and decreased by 11.3% 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
2019June102.0109.2108.1105.1104.2
July104.5108.9104.9106.5106.9
August103.4110.0104.6105.7105.3
September103.0108.4105.7105.9106.3
October103.4109.8105.5106.2106.2
November104.5113.2102.0107.2106.8
December104.7108.3102.2106.2106.7
2019January–December103.4109.8106.0106.2106.2
2020January104.9113.8101.4107.6107.6
February110.7112.2101.8111.2110.9
March112.7100.083,2103.5104.4
April99.685.273.789.889.8
May101.8100.685.998.097.2
June98.5104.989.199.9100.8
2020January–June104.6102.188.7101.3101.3