Published on: 5 March 2026

Retail sales were 3.5% up on the same period last year and 0.5% up on the previous month

In January 2026, the volume of retail trade was 3.0% higher according to raw data, or 3.5% higher in calendar adjusted terms, than in the same month of the previous year. Compared to the same period of the previous year, calendar-adjusted sale volumes expanded by 1.2% in specialized and non-specialized food shops, by 4.7% in non-food retailing and by 5.7% in automotive fuel retailing. According to seasonally and calendar adjusted data, the volume of retail sales was 0.5% higher compared to the previous month.

In January 2026, compared to the same period of the previous year, adjusted for calendar effects:

The volume of domestic retail sales increased by 3.5%.

The volume of sales grew by 1.2% in specialized and non-specialized food retailing. The volume of sales increased by 3.7% in non-specialized food and beverages shops accounting for 77% of food retailing and fell by 6.5% in specialized food, beverage and tobacco stores.

The turnover of non-food retailing increased by a total of 4.7% in volume. Sales volumes rose by 10% in second-hand goods shops, by 6.7% in textiles, clothing and footwear shops, by 3.3% in books, computer equipment and other specialized stores, by 1.9% in non-specialized shops dealing in manufactured goods and by 1.5% in pharmaceutical, medical goods and cosmetics shops. However, the volume of sales decreased by 3.3% in furniture and electrical goods stores.

The volume of mail order and internet retailing accounting for 9.8% of all retail sales and involving a wide range of goods grew by 14%.

The volume of sales in automotive fuel stations increased by 5.7%.

Sales volume in motor vehicles and motor vehicle parts and accessories stores not belonging to retail data decreased by 6.5%.

In January 2026:

Domestic retail sales amounted to HUF 1,504 billion at current prices.

50% of the national retail turnover was generated in specialized and non-specialized food shops, 36% in non-food retail trade and 14% in automotive fuel stations.

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
2025January104.5105.7102.9104.8104.8
February103.5100.7102.0103.4100.0
March101.4103.7100.9101.099.6
April103.7105.1102.3104.9106.8
May100.7104.098.9102.1102.1
June103.7103.9102.5103.0103.0
July102.2102.997.6101.7101.7
August102.2104.8102.1102.4101.9
September103.1103.6100.6103.0103.4
October101.2105.2100.6103.1103.1
November102.6104.6100.7102.5102.5
December102.0104.4101.7103.5104.0
2025January-December102.5104.1101.0102.9102.8
2026January101.2104.7105.7103.5103.0