Translated using ChatGPT service.
In March 2025, more cautious consumer spending affected retail turnover. Over the year, the total turnover of retail companies at constant prices decreased by 0.8% (according to unadjusted data).
This was mainly influenced by the high base level of food retail turnover as well as rising food prices, which continue to impact consumer purchasing power. A decline in retail volume was also observed on a monthly basis. In March, compared to February, retail turnover decreased by 0.2% (seasonally adjusted data), mainly due to a decline in food and fuel product groups.
Over the year, retail turnover decreased sharply for food products and moderately for fuel, while retail turnover for non-food products increased.
In March, compared to March of the previous year, non-food retail turnover increased by 3.2%. Growth was recorded in all major non-food product categories, except for books, newspapers, stationery, and audio and video recordings, where turnover fell by 4.3%; flowers, plants, seeds, fertilizers, pet supplies, and pet food (-1.1%); and clothing, footwear, and leather goods (-0.7%). Meanwhile, the largest year-on-year increase in March was observed in the retail of watches, jewelry, and other unclassified new goods (+23.2%), and household electrical appliances in specialized stores (+13.0%). More moderate growth was seen in the retail of pharmaceutical and medical products (+6.8%), cosmetics and toiletries (+4.5%), household items such as textiles, carpets, floor coverings, wallpaper, furniture, lighting equipment (+4.2%), metal products, tools, building materials and plumbing supplies (+4.1%), ICT equipment (+2.2%), and sporting goods and toys (+1.3%).
By type of retail outlet, a decline in turnover continued in March, compared to the same period the previous year, in retail via stalls and markets (-7.1%) and also in other retail outside stores, stalls, and markets, which fell by 2.6%. For the second consecutive month, turnover from mail-order or internet retailing declined (-1.5%).
Retail turnover of food products saw a significant annual decrease of 6.1%, largely due to the high base in March of the previous year when food retail turnover rose by 4%—the highest growth since January 2022. Food prices continue to rise, impacting food retail turnover.
Fuel retail turnover at filling stations decreased by 1.0% in March compared to March 2024, despite lower fuel prices year-over-year, indicating reduced consumer activity.
Overall, in January–March of this year, retail turnover was 0.5% lower than in the same period of 2024, primarily due to a 5.5% drop in food retail turnover driven by high food prices. Retail turnover for non-food products increased by 1.6%, while fuel retail remained unchanged.
In the coming months, consumer activity could be supported by rising wages and pensions following tax changes, as well as falling interest rates and price stabilization. However, high food prices will continue to put pressure on household budgets, meaning that any consumption growth is likely to be gradual and uneven.