Published on: 6 May 2021

Retail sales increased by 0.8% month-on-month and decreased by 2.0% year-on-year

In March 2021, the volume of retail trade decreased by 1.5% in raw data and by 2.0% in calendar-adjusted data, compared with the same period of the previous year, due to the impact of new restrictions affecting retail trade from 8 March and the base effect of the epidemic that started last year. The seasonally and calendar-adjusted volume of retail sales increased by 0.8% compared to the previous month. In March 2021, the volume of sales, adjusted for calendar effects, decreased by 2.0% in specialized and non-specialized food shops, by 5.9% in non-food retail trade and increased by 2.1% in automotive fuel retailing. In January–March 2021, the volume of sales – also according to calendar adjusted data – was 3.2% lower than in the corresponding period of the previous year.

In March 2021, compared to the same period of the previous year, adjusted for calendar effects:

The volume of domestic retail sales decreased by 2.0%.

The volume of sales decreased by 2.0% in specialized and non-specialized food retailing. The volume of sales decreased by 1.8% in non-specialized food and beverages shops accounting for 76% of food retailing and by 2.9% in specialized food, beverage and tobacco stores.

Non-food retailing was the main sector affected by the closures, with turnover down by 5.9% overall. Sales rose in non-specialized shops dealing in manufactured goods (8.8%). The volume of sales fell in pharmaceutical, medical goods and cosmetics shops (19%), books, computer equipment and other specialized stores (22%), furniture and electrical goods stores (46%), textiles, clothing and footwear shops (48%) as well as in second hand goods shops (59%).

Mail order and internet retailing, which covers a wide range of goods and accounts for 13% of retail sales, grew by 62% in volume to a record HUF 140 billion..

After one year, the turnover of petrol stations has started to grow again, with a 2.1% volume increase compared to last year.

Sales in motor vehicles and motor vehicle parts and accessories stores not belonging to retail data increased by 2.9%.

In March 2021:

Domestic retail sales amounted to HUF 1,095 billion at current prices.

Specialized and non-specialized food shops accounted for 51% of all retail sales, while the relevant figures for non-food retail trade and retail trade of petrol stations were 34% and 15% respectively.

In January–March 2021, compared to the same period of the previous year, adjusted for calendar effects:

The volume of sales in retail shops decreased by 3.2%.

The volume of sales decreased by 1.4% in specialized and non-specialized food shops, by 4.0% in non-food retail trade and by 5.8% 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
2020March112.7101.084.2103.7104.5
April99.685.073.789.789.7
May101.899.285.597.897.0
June98.5105.989.3100.0100.8
July103.3100.493.0100.4100.4
August99.8100.495.499.298.8
September102.096.990.398.198.5
October101.298.389.598.097.6
November101.899.690.799.399.7
December101.991.788.396.196.8
2020January–December103.099.690.199.799.8
2021January101.597.691.498.197.4
February96.596.689.694.194.4
March98.094.1102.198.098.5
2021January-March98.696.094.296.896.8