Sales of retail shops grew by 10.9%
In February 2020, the volume of sales in retail shops increased by 10.9% according to raw data and by 11.3% when adjusted for calendar effects compared to the same period of the previous year. The volume of sales, adjusted for calendar effects, rose by 10.7% in specialized and non-specialized food shops, by 11.4% in non-food retail shops and by 1.8% in automotive fuel retailing. In January–February 2020, the volume of sales – also according to calendar adjusted data – was 9.5% higher than in the corresponding period of the previous year.
Panic buying at the end of February is estimated to account for 5.7 percentage points of the 11% increase in total retail sales, including 7 percentage points of the 11.3% volume increase in specialized and non-specialized food retailing and about 10 percentage points of the 16% expansion in pharmaceutical, medical goods and cosmetics retailing. You can read more about our estimates in the Coronavirus dossier / Analyses section.
In February 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 increased by 11.3%.
The volume of sales increased by 10.7% in specialized and non-specialized food retailing. The volume of sales grew by 11% in non-specialized food and beverages shops accounting for 77% of food retailing and by 3.9% in specialized food, beverage and tobacco stores.
The turnover of non-food retailing increased by a total of 11.4%. Sales rose in non-specialized shops dealing in manufactured goods (24%), pharmaceutical, medical goods and cosmetics shops (16%), books, computer equipment and other specialized stores (15%), furniture and electrical goods stores (7.4%), textiles, clothing and footwear shops (7.0%), as well as in second hand goods shops (0.4%).
The volume of mail order and internet retailing accounting for 6.7% of all retail sales and involving a wide range of goods rose by 33%, continuing a multi-year expansion.
The volume of sales in automotive fuel stations increased by 1.8%.
Sales in motor vehicles and motor vehicle parts and accessories stores not belonging to retail data increased by 17%.
In February 2020:
Sales in the national retail trade network as well as in mail order and internet retailing were HUF 957 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–February 2020, compared to the same period of the previous year, adjusted for calendar effects:
The volume of sales in retail shops increased by 9.5%.
The volume of sales rose by 7.8% in specialized and non-specialized food shops, by 12.6% in non-food retail trade and by 1.6% 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 | ||||||
| 2019 | February | 104.6 | 113.3 | 113.7 | 109.2 | 109.2 |
| March | 100.7 | 115.9 | 114.2 | 106.6 | 105.4 | |
| April | 105.2 | 106.6 | 105.5 | 107.2 | 108.5 | |
| May | 101.0 | 104.8 | 100.5 | 102.4 | 103.0 | |
| June | 102.1 | 108.7 | 108.1 | 105.5 | 104.3 | |
| July | 104.5 | 109.1 | 104.9 | 106.3 | 106.9 | |
| August | 103.4 | 109.8 | 104.6 | 105.9 | 105.3 | |
| September | 103.0 | 108.6 | 105.8 | 105.7 | 106.3 | |
| October | 103.4 | 109.8 | 105.5 | 106.2 | 106.2 | |
| November | 104.5 | 112.9 | 102.0 | 107.4 | 106.8 | |
| December | 104.7 | 108.5 | 102.2 | 106.0 | 106.7 | |
| 2019 | January–December | 103.4 | 109.5 | 106.0 | 106.1 | 106.1 |
| 2020 | January | 104.9 | 113.8 | 101.4 | 107.6 | 107.6 |
| February | 110.7 | 111.4 | 101.8 | 111.3 | 110.9 | |
| 2020 | January–February | 107.8 | 112.6 | 101.6 | 109.5 | 109.2 |