Retail sales decreased by 1.2% month-on-month and by 5.9% year-on-year
In February 2021, the volume of retail sales - as a result of the (first) panic buying wave at the end of last February - decreased by 5.6% according to raw data and by 5.9% when adjusted for calendar effects compared to the same period of the previous year. The seasonally and calendar-adjusted volume of retail sales decreased by 1.2% compared to the previous month. In February 2021, the volume of sales, adjusted for calendar effects, decreased by 3.3% in non-food retail trade, by 3.5% in specialized and non-specialized food shops and by 10.4% in automotive fuel retailing. In January–February 2021, the volume of sales – also according to calendar adjusted data – was 3.9% lower than in the corresponding period of the previous year.
In February 2021, compared to the same period of the previous year, adjusted for calendar effects:
The volume of domestic retail sales decreased by 5.9%.
The volume of sales decreased by 3.5% in specialized and non-specialized food retailing. The volume of sales decreased by 2.6% in non-specialized food and beverages shops accounting for 76% of food retailing and by 1.6% in specialized food, beverage and tobacco stores.1
The turnover of non-food retailing decreased by a total of 3.3%. Sales rose in non-specialized shops dealing in manufactured goods (0.8%). The volume of sales fell in pharmaceutical, medical goods and cosmetics shops (13%), books, computer equipment and other specialized stores (15%), furniture and electrical goods stores (18%), textiles, clothing and footwear shops (24%) as well as in second hand goods shops (28%).
The volume of mail order and internet retailing accounting for 8.9% of all retail sales and involving a wide range of goods rose by 26%, continuing a multi-year expansion.
The volume of sales in automotive fuel stations continued to decrease, falling 10.4% year-on-year.
Sales in motor vehicles and motor vehicle parts and accessories stores not belonging to retail data decreased by 18%.
In February 2021:
Domestic retail sales amounted to HUF 946 billion at current prices.
Specialized and non-specialized food shops accounted for 48% of all retail sales, while the relevant figures for non-food retail trade of petrol stations were 37% and 15% respectively.
In January–February 2021, compared to the same period of the previous year, adjusted for calendar effects:
The volume of sales in retail shops decreased by 3.9%.
The volume of sales decreased by 1.0% in specialized and non-specialized food shops, by 2.8% in non-food retail trade and by 9.5% 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 | ||||||
| 2020 | February | 110.7 | 111.8 | 101.9 | 111.3 | 111.0 |
| March | 112.7 | 100.8 | 84.1 | 103.7 | 104.5 | |
| April | 99.6 | 85.0 | 73.7 | 89.7 | 89.7 | |
| May | 101.8 | 99.4 | 85.6 | 97.7 | 97.0 | |
| June | 98.5 | 105.7 | 89.2 | 100.0 | 100.8 | |
| July | 103.3 | 100.4 | 93.0 | 100.4 | 100.4 | |
| August | 99.8 | 100.5 | 95.4 | 99.2 | 98.8 | |
| September | 102.0 | 96.8 | 90.2 | 98.1 | 98.5 | |
| October | 101.2 | 98.4 | 89.5 | 98.0 | 97.6 | |
| November | 101.8 | 99.5 | 90.6 | 99.3 | 99.7 | |
| December | 101.9 | 91.5 | 88.2 | 96.1 | 96.8 | |
| 2020 | January–December | 103.0 | 99.6 | 90.1 | 99.7 | 99.8 |
| 2021 | January | 101.5 | 97.7 | 91.5 | 98.1 | 97.4 |
| February | 96.5 | 96.7 | 89.6 | 94.1 | 94.4 | |
| 2021 | January-February | 99.0 | 97.2 | 90.5 | 96.1 | 95.9 |