In February 2024, domestic retail sales in Hungary totalled HUF 1,395 billion (€3.58 billion) at current prices, while the volume of domestic retail sales rose by 1.1%, compared to the same month the previous year.
Half (50%) of the total retail turnover came from specialised and non-specialised food shops, with 34% from non-food retail trade and 16% from fuel stations, according to data from KSH – The Hungarian Central Statistics Office.
On a month-on-month basis, retail sales volume increased by 0.6% compared to January 2024.
Food sales rise
Sales volumes in specialised and non-specialised food retail outlets rose by 2.7%.
In non-specialised food and beverage shops, which make up 76% of the overall food retail market, sales volumes increased by 2.2%, while in specialised food, beverage, and tobacco stores, volumes increased by 1.3% year-on-year.
In non-food sectors, sales volumes experienced a 2.1% decrease.
There was an increase of 6.9% in sales volumes for pharmaceutical, medical goods, and cosmetics shops, along with a modest 1.8% increase in non-specialised shops dealing in manufactured goods. At the same time, sales volumes dipped by 2.8% in textiles, clothing, and footwear shops, by 4.3% in books, computer equipment, and other specialised stores, by 10% in furniture and electrical goods stores, and by 13% in second-hand goods shops.
Online sees drop in volumes
Online and mail order retailing represented 7.9% of total retail sales during the month, experiencing a 1.0% decrease in volumes compared to the same period last year.
Lastly, there was a 3.9% increase in the volume of sales at fuel stations, while sales at motor vehicles and motor vehicle parts and accessories stores surged by 13%, according to the KSH data.
In the first two months of the year (January–February 2024), the volume of sales, as per calendar adjusted data, increased by 0.8% compared to the same period the previous year.
Read more: Consumer prices rose 3.7% in Hungary in February 2024
