Retail sales were 8.2% up on the same period last year and 1.9% up on the previous month
In March 2026, the volume of retail trade was 10.6% higher according to raw data, or 8.2% higher in calendar (and Easter effects1) 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 2.6% in specialized and non-specialized food shops, by 8.4% in non-food retailing and by 20.6% in automotive fuel retailing. According to seasonally and calendar adjusted data, the volume of retail sales was 1.9% higher compared to the previous month. In January–March 2026, the volume of sales – also according to calendar adjusted data – was 5.3% higher than in the corresponding period of the previous year.
In March 2026, compared to the same period of the previous year, adjusted for calendar effects:
The volume of domestic retail sales increased by 8.2%.
The volume of sales grew by 2.6% in specialized and non-specialized food retailing. The volume of sales increased by 4.2% in non-specialized food and beverages shops accounting for 77% of food retailing and fell by 2.7% in specialized food, beverage and tobacco stores.
The turnover of non-food retailing increased by a total of 8.4% in volume. Sales volumes rose by 10% in non-specialized shops dealing in manufactured goods, by 9.1% in books, computer equipment and other specialized stores, by 7.3% in furniture and electrical goods stores, by 6.5% in pharmaceutical, medical goods and cosmetics shops, by 4.5% in textiles, clothing and footwear shops and by 4.4% in second-hand goods shops.
The volume of mail order and internet retailing accounting for 8.8% of all retail sales and involving a wide range of goods grew by 10%.
The volume of sales in automotive fuel stations increased by 20.6% moving in line with the trends in fuel sales volumes measured in physical units reported in the excise tax declarations of retail fuel stations.
Raw sales volume in motor vehicles and motor vehicle parts and accessories stores not belonging to retail data increased by 22%.
In March 2026:
Domestic retail sales amounted to HUF 1,799 billion at current prices.
48% of the national retail turnover was generated in specialized and non-specialized food shops, 36% in non-food retail trade and 16% in automotive fuel stations.
In January–March 2026, compared to the same period of the previous year, adjusted for calendar effects:
The volume of retail trade rose by 5.3%.
The volume of sales rose by 2.0% in specialized and non-specialized food shops, by 6.1% in non-food retail trade and by 11.2% 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 | ||||||
| 2025 | March | 101.4 | 103.6 | 100.9 | 101.1 | 99.6 |
| April | 103.7 | 105.2 | 102.3 | 104.8 | 106.8 | |
| May | 100.7 | 104.0 | 98.9 | 102.1 | 102.1 | |
| June | 103.7 | 103.9 | 102.5 | 103.0 | 103.0 | |
| July | 102.2 | 102.9 | 97.6 | 101.7 | 101.7 | |
| August | 102.2 | 104.9 | 102.2 | 102.4 | 101.9 | |
| September | 103.0 | 103.5 | 100.6 | 102.9 | 103.4 | |
| October | 101.2 | 105.2 | 100.6 | 103.1 | 103.1 | |
| November | 102.6 | 104.6 | 100.7 | 102.5 | 102.5 | |
| December | 102.1 | 104.3 | 101.7 | 103.5 | 104.0 | |
| 2025 | January-December | 102.5 | 104.1 | 101.0 | 102.9 | 102.8 |
| 2026 | January | 101.2 | 104.7 | 105.7 | 103.5 | 103.0 |
| February | 102.2 | 105.0 | 106.4 | 103.8 | 103.8 | |
| March | 102.6 | 108.4 | 120.6 | 108.2 | 110.6 | |
| 2026 | January-March | 102.0 | 106.1 | 111.2 | 105.3 | 106.0 |