In March 2020, the volume of sales in retail shops increased by 4.4% according to raw data and by 3.5% when adjusted for calendar effects compared to the same period of the previous year, show Hungarian Central Statistical Office latest data.
Due to the worsening epidemiological emergency, regulatory restrictions were gradually introduced, which also affected retailing, with an impact on the turnover of all business types.
The volume of sales, adjusted for calendar effects, rose by 12.7% in specialized and non-specialized food shops, by 0.5% in non-food retail shops and decreased by 16.7% in automotive fuel retailing.
In January–March 2020, the volume of sales – also according to calendar adjusted data – was 7.2% higher than in the corresponding period of the previous year.
Main sales data in Hungarian retail
The volume of sales increased by 12.7% in specialized and non-specialized food retailing. The volume of sales grew by 15% in non-specialized food and beverages shops accounting for 77% of food retailing and by 4.8% in specialized food, beverage and tobacco stores.
The turnover of non-food retailing increased by a total of 0.5%. Sales rose in non-specialized shops dealing in pharmaceutical, medical and cosmetics goods (38%), as well as in manufactured goods (0.9%). The volume of sales fell in textiles, clothing and footwear shops (-51%), second hand goods shops (-26%), books, computer equipment and other specialized stores (-14%), as well as in furniture and electrical goods stores (-9.3%).
The volume of mail order and internet retailing accounting for 7.9% of all retail sales and involving a wide range of goods rose by 41%, continuing a multi-year expansion.
The volume of sales in automotive fuel stations decreased by 16.7%.
Sales in motor vehicles and motor vehicle parts and accessories stores not belonging to retail data decreased by 4.6%.
