Published on: 4 February 2021

Sales in retail shops decreased by 0.2% month-on-month and by 4.0% year-on-year

In December 2020, the volume of sales in retail shops decreased by 3.2% according to raw data and by 4.0% when adjusted for calendar effects compared to the same period of the previous year. The seasonally and calendar-adjusted volume of sales in retail shops decreased by 0.2% compared to the previous month. In December 2020, the volume of sales, adjusted for calendar effects, increased by 1.9% in specialized and non-specialized food shops and decreased by 9.3% in non-food retail shops and by 11.9% in automotive fuel retailing. In 2020, the volume of sales – also according to calendar adjusted data – was 0.2% lower than in the previous year.

In December 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 4.0%.

The volume of sales increased by 1.9% in specialized and non-specialized food retailing. The volume of sales increased by 2.3% in non-specialized food and beverages shops accounting for 77% of food retailing and decreased by 0.8% in specialized food, beverage and tobacco stores.

The turnover of non-food retailing decreased by a total of 9.3%. The volume of sales fell in non-specialized shops dealing in manufactured goods (3.5%), pharmaceutical, medical goods and cosmetics shops (4.8%), books, computer equipment and other specialized stores (13%), furniture and electrical goods stores (20%), second hand goods shops (31%) as well as in textiles, clothing and footwear shops (32%).

The volume of mail order and internet retailing accounting for 9.4% of all retail sales and involving a wide range of goods rose by 24%, continuing a multi-year expansion.

The volume of sales in automotive fuel stations decreased by 11.9%.

Sales in motor vehicles and motor vehicle parts and accessories stores not belonging to retail data decreased by 17%.

In December 2020:

Sales in the national retail trade network as well as in mail order and internet retailing were HUF 1,238 billion at current prices.

Food, drinks and tobacco stores accounted for 49% of all retail sales, while the relevant figures for non-food retail shops and the network of petrol stations were 40% and 11% respectively.

In 2020, compared to the previous year, adjusted for calendar effects:

The volume of sales in retail shops decreased by 0.2%.

The volume of sales rose by 3.0% in specialized and non-specialized food shops and decreased by 0.4% in non-food retail trade and by 10% 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
2019December104.7108.2102.3106.2106.6
2019January–December103.4109.8106.1106.3106.3
2020January104.9113.8101.4107.6107.6
February110.7112.5101.7111.2110.9
March112.7100.083.5103.6104.4
April99.685.273.789.889.8
May101.8100.685.797.997.2
June98.5105.089.3100.0100.8
July103.3100.493.0100.4100.4
August99.8101.095.499.298.8
September102.096.390.298.198.4
October101.298.789.598.097.6
November101.899.190.699.399.7
December101.990.788.196.096.8
2020January–December103.099.690.099.899.8