Published on: 23 May 2017

3.3% increase in the sales of retail shops

In March 2017, the volume of sales in retail shops increased by 3.3% according to raw data and, mainly due to the Easter effect, by 5.4% adjusted for calendar effects compared to the same period of the previous year. The volume of sales, adjusted for calendar effects, rose by 3.7% in specialized and non-specialized food shops, by 7.6% in non-food retail shops and by 2.3% in automotive fuel retailing. In January–March 2017, the volume of sales – also according to calendar adjusted data – was 3.4% higher than in the corresponding period of the previous year.

In March 2017, 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 5.4%. (The data of the second estimate was 0.2 percentage point lower than those published in the first estimate.)

The volume of sales increased by 3.7% in specialized and non-specialized food retailing. The volume of sales grew by 4.7% in non-specialized food and beverages shops accounting for 76% of food retailing and by 3.1% in specialized food, beverage and tobacco stores.

The turnover of non-food retailing increased by a total of 7.6%. Sales rose in non-specialized shops dealing in manufactured goods (14%), textiles, clothing and footwear shops (12%), books, computer equipment and other specialized stores (8.3%), second hand goods shops (6.4%), furniture and electrical goods stores (4.8%) as well as in pharmaceutical, medical goods and cosmetics shops (3.9%).

The volume of mail order and internet retailing accounting for 3.4% of all retail sales and involving a wide range of goods rose by 10%, continuing a multi-year expansion.

The volume of sales in automotive fuel stations rose by 2.3%.

Sales in motor vehicles and motor vehicle parts and accessories stores not belonging to retail data increased by 11%.

In March 2017:

Sales in the national retail trade network as well as in mail order and internet retailing were HUF 812 billion at current prices.

Food, drinks and tobacco stores accounted for 47% of all retail sales, while the relevant figures for non-food retail shops and the network of petrol stations were 37% and 16% respectively.

In January–March 2017, compared to the same period of the previous year, adjusted for calendar effects:

The volume of sales in retail shops increased by 3.4%.

The volume of sales rose by 2.4% in food, drinks and tobacco shops, by 4.8% in non-food retail trade and by 3.2% 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
2016March102.3106.8105.4104.1105.4
April103.8111.3103.5106.8105.0
May104.4106.8108.2105.7106.8
June103.4109.7103.7105.7105.7
July101.7106.7103.1103.9102.9
August102.8106.0106.6104.3105.8
September104.0105.2107.7105.1105.1
October101.6104.4101.2102.6102.6
November102.3107.4103.9104.5104.5
December103.2103.0104.6103.3102.8
2016January–December102.9107.2104.9104.8104.7
2017January103.4103.7106.7103.8104.8
February100.0103.3100.7100.9100.8
March103.7107.6102.3105.4103.3
2017January–March102.4104.8103.2103.4103.0