Published on: 4 June 2020

Sales of retail shops decreased by 10.2%

Due to the epidemiological emergency, regulatory restrictions were introduced, which also affected retailing, with an impact on the turnover of all business types. In April 2020, the volume of sales in retail shops, according to both raw and calendar-adjusted data, decreased by 10.2% compared to the same period last year. The volume of sales, adjusted for calendar effects, decreased by 0.4% in specialized and non-specialized food shops, by 14.8% in non-food retail shops and by 26.3% in automotive fuel retailing. In January–April 2020, the volume of sales – also according to calendar adjusted data – was 2.5% higher than in the corresponding period of the previous year.

Declining retail sales in April 2020 were entirely driven by the impact of the coronavirus epidemic, with epidemic emergency explaining 17 percentage points from the calendar adjusted, year-on-year volume change. The volume index for non-food retail shops was 26% lower, while automotive fuel retailing was 30 percentage points lower than previously estimated. Food store sales were only slightly affected by the impact of coronavirus.

In April 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 decreased by 10.2%.

The volume of sales decreased by 0.4% in specialized and non-specialized food retailing. The volume of sales increased by 2.5% in non-specialized food and beverages shops accounting for 77% of food retailing and decreased by 9.5% in specialized food, beverage and tobacco stores.

The turnover of non-food retailing decreased by a total of 14.8%. Sales fell in non-specialized shops dealing in manufactured goods (-8.2%), pharmaceutical, medical and cosmetics goods (-15%), furniture and electrical goods stores (-24%), books, computer equipment and other specialized stores (-37%), second hand goods shops (-80%), as well as in textiles, clothing and footwear shops (-90%).

The volume of mail order and internet retailing accounting for 12.5% of all retail sales and involving a wide range of goods rose by 104% in April, continuing a multi-year expansion.

The volume of sales in automotive fuel stations decreased by 26.3%.

Sales in motor vehicles and motor vehicle parts and accessories stores not belonging to retail data decreased by 33%.

In April 2020:

Sales in the national retail trade network as well as in mail order and internet retailing were HUF 910 billion at current prices.

Food, drinks and tobacco stores accounted for 53% of all retail sales, while the relevant figures for non-food retail shops and the network of petrol stations were 36% and 11% respectively.

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

The volume of sales in retail shops increased by 2.5%.

The volume of sales rose by 7.0% in specialized and non-specialized food shops, by 1.8% in non-food retail trade and decreased by 10.6% 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
2019April105.0108.1105.4107.8108.9
May100.9106.1100.4103.0103.5
June102.0108.9108.0105.2104.2
July104.5109.0104.9106.5106.9
August103.4109.8104.6105.8105.3
September103.0108.6105.8105.8106.3
October103.4109.8105.5106.2106.2
November104.5113.0102.0107.2106.8
December104.7108.4102.2106.2106.7
2019January–December103.4109.8106.0106.2106.2
2020January104.9113.8101.4107.6107.6
February110.7112.2101.8111.2110.9
March112.7100.383.3103.5104.4
April99.685.273.789.889.8
2020January–April107.0101.889.4102.5102.6