Published on: 6 December 2023

Retail sales fell by 6.5% compared to the same period last year and decreased by 0.3% compared to the previous month

In October 2023, the volume of retail trade in both raw and calendar-adjusted data was 6.5% lower than in the same month of the previous year. Calendar-adjusted sale volumes decreased by 1.9% in specialized and non-specialized food shops, by 5.1% in non-food retailing and by 21.1% in automotive fuel retailing. According to seasonally and calendar adjusted data, the volume of retail sales fell by 0.3% compared to the previous month. In January–October 2023, the volume of sales – also according to calendar adjusted data – was 9.0% lower than in the corresponding period of the previous year.

In October 2023, compared to the same period of the previous year, adjusted for calendar effects:

The volume of domestic retail sales decreased by 6.5%.

The volume of sales decreased by 1.9% in specialized and non-specialized food retailing. The volume of sales decreased by 1.5% 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 decreased by a total of 5.1% in volume. Sales volumes rose by 7.2% in pharmaceutical, medical goods and cosmetics shops, while sales volumes decreased by 3.4% in books, computer equipment and other specialized stores, by 7.9% in second-hand goods shops, by 8.3% in textiles, clothing and footwear shops, by 13% in non-specialized shops dealing in manufactured goods and by 15% in furniture and electrical goods stores.

The volume of mail order and internet retailing accounting for 8.1% of all retail sales and involving a wide range of goods fell by 2.3%.

The volume of sales in automotive fuel stations was 21.1% down compared to the same month of last year.

Sales in motor vehicles and motor vehicle parts and accessories stores not belonging to retail data increased by 8.9%.

In October 2023:

Domestic retail sales amounted to HUF 1,589 billion at current prices.

Specialized and non-specialized food shops accounted for 47% of all retail sales, the relevant figures for non-food retail trade and retail trade of petrol stations were 35% and 18%.

In January–October 2023, compared to the same period of the previous year, adjusted for calendar effects:

The volume of retail trade decreased by 9.0%.

The volume of sales fell by 5.7% in specialized and non-specialized food shops, by 7.1% in non-food retail trade and by 21.1% in automotive fuel retail trade.

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
2022October94.299.5119.6100.7100.7
November93.399.4127.5101.3101.3
December91.699.8101.095.895.1
2022January–December98.4105.7123.8105.1105.0
2023January95.298.490.395.596.1
February91.490.285.589.989.9
March89.790.470.786.887.4
April91.489.377.187.386.4
May92.789.174.187.787.3
June95.295.775.891.792.2
July95.994.579.592.492.3
August96.094.881.992.993.0
September97.792.580.192.792.2
October98.194.978.993.593.5
2023January-October94.392.978.991.091.0