Published on: 5 November 2020

Sales in retail shops increased by 1.0% month-on-month and decreased by 2.0% year-on-year

In September 2020, the volume of sales in retail shops decreased by 1.6% according to raw data and by 2.0% when adjusted for calendar effects compared to the same period of the previous year. The volume of sales, adjusted for calendar effects, increased by 2.0% in specialized and non-specialized food shops and decreased by 3.8% in non-food retail shops and by 9.8% in automotive fuel retailing. In January–September 2020, the volume of sales – also according to calendar adjusted data – was 0.5% higher than in the corresponding period of the previous year. In September 2020, the seasonally and calendar-adjusted volume of sales in retail shops increased by 1.0% compared to the previous month.

In September 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 2.0%.

The volume of sales increased by 2.0% in specialized and non-specialized food retailing. The volume of sales increased by 2.2% in non-specialized food and beverages shops accounting for 75% of food retailing and by 0.6% in specialized food, beverage and tobacco stores.

The turnover of non-food retailing decreased by a total of 3.8%. Sales rose in medical and cosmetics goods shops (5.2%) as well as in non-specialized shops dealing in manufactured goods (0.7%). The volume of sales fell in books, computer equipment and other specialized stores (-8.0%), furniture and electrical goods stores and textiles, clothing and footwear shops (-21% each), as well as in second hand goods shops (-23%).

The volume of mail order and internet retailing accounting for 8.4% 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 decreased by 9.8%.

Sales in motor vehicles and motor vehicle parts and accessories stores not belonging to retail data increased by 1.0%.

In September 2020:

Sales in the national retail trade network as well as in mail order and internet retailing were HUF 1,043 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 38% and 15% respectively.

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

The volume of sales in retail shops increased by 0.5%.

The volume of sales rose by 3.5% in specialized and non-specialized food shops, by 1.1% in non-food retail trade and decreased by 9.7% 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
2019September102.8109.1105.9106.1106.6
October103.4109.8105.4106.2106.2
November104.5113.3101.8107.2106.8
December104.7108.2102.4106.2106.7
2019January–December103.3109.7106.1106.2106.2
2020January104.9113.8101.4107.6107.6
February110.7112.6101.7111.2110.9
March112.799.883.5103.5104.4
April99.685.273.789.889.8
May101.8100.885,798.097.2
June98.5104.789.399.9100,8
July103.3100.493.0100.4100.4
August99.8101.195.499.298.8
September102.096.290.298.098.4
2020January–September103.5101.190.3100.5100.5