Retail sales were 3.6% up on the same period last year and 1.2% down on the previous month
In April 2026, the volume of retail trade was 1.7% higher according to raw data, or 3.6% 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 3.4% in specialized and non-specialized food shops, by 2.6% in non-food retailing and by 9.1% in automotive fuel retailing. According to seasonally and calendar adjusted data, the volume of retail sales was 1.2% down on the previous month. In January–April 2026, the volume of sales – also according to calendar adjusted data – was 4.8% higher than in the corresponding period of the previous year.
In April 2026, compared to the same period of the previous year, adjusted for calendar effects:
The volume of domestic retail sales increased by 3.6%.
The volume of sales grew by 3.4% in specialized and non-specialized food retailing. The volume of sales increased by 5.2% in non-specialized food and beverages shops accounting for 76% 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 2.6% in volume. Sales volumes rose by 7.7% in pharmaceutical, medical goods and cosmetics shops, by 4.6% in furniture and electrical goods stores and by 1.3% in books, computer equipment and other specialized stores. The volume of sales was unchanged in non-specialized shops dealing in manufactured goods. However, it decreased by 2.7% in textiles, clothing and footwear shops and by 4.0% in second-hand goods shops.
The volume of mail order and internet retailing accounting for 8.6% of all retail sales and involving a wide range of goods grew by 2.7%.
The volume of sales in automotive fuel stations increased by 9.1%.
Raw sales volume in motor vehicles and motor vehicle parts and accessories stores not belonging to retail data increased by 1.5%.
In April 2026:
Domestic retail sales amounted to HUF 1,742 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–April 2026, compared to the same period of the previous year, adjusted for calendar effects:
The volume of retail trade rose by 4.8%.
The volume of sales rose by 2.4% in specialized and non-specialized food shops, by 5.2% in non-food retail trade and by 10.6% 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 | April | 103.7 | 105.7 | 103.7 | 105.0 | 107.2 |
| May | 100.6 | 104.7 | 99.7 | 102.4 | 102.4 | |
| June | 103.7 | 104.2 | 103.3 | 103.3 | 103.3 | |
| July | 102.2 | 102.9 | 97.6 | 101.7 | 101.7 | |
| August | 102.3 | 104.9 | 102.2 | 102.4 | 101.9 | |
| September | 103.1 | 103.5 | 100.6 | 102.9 | 103.4 | |
| October | 101.3 | 105.2 | 100.6 | 103.1 | 103.1 | |
| November | 102.6 | 104.6 | 100.7 | 102.5 | 102.5 | |
| December | 102.0 | 104.3 | 101.7 | 103.4 | 104.0 | |
| 2025 | January-December | 102.5 | 104.2 | 101.3 | 103.0 | 102.8 |
| 2026 | January | 101.3 | 104.7 | 105.7 | 103.5 | 103.0 |
| February | 102.2 | 105.0 | 106.4 | 103.8 | 103.8 | |
| March | 102.8 | 108.4 | 120.6 | 108.1 | 110.6 | |
| April | 103.4 | 102.6 | 109.1 | 103.6 | 101.7 | |
| 2026 | January-April | 102.4 | 105.2 | 110.6 | 104.8 | 104.8 |