Translated using ChatGPT service.
In July 2025, the fastest year-on-year growth in retail turnover since November 2022 was recorded – compared to July of the previous year, turnover increased by 3.4% (unadjusted data).
The growth was primarily driven by a significant increase in non-food retail trade. On a monthly basis, retail turnover also increased – in July, compared to June, it rose by 1.3% (seasonally adjusted data), driven by increases in both food and non-food sales.
In the coming months, retail turnover is expected to fluctuate but show an overall trend of gradual growth. The increase recorded in July mainly reflected the growth of non-food retail trade, while the decline in the food segment was very small, influenced by major retailers’ commitment to reduce prices of essential food products. This helped maintain food sales at almost the same level as last year, despite overall high price pressures. Fuel turnover in July was supported by lower prices compared to last year. This indicates that, as pressure on food and fuel prices eases, households have the capacity to reallocate spending toward other segments, especially non-food goods. However, overall consumption activity will continue to be constrained by high price levels, which continue to strain household budgets.
In July, compared to July 2024, non-food retail turnover increased by 6.9%. Growth was observed across all main non-food product groups. The fastest year-on-year increase was recorded in the retail of sporting goods and games (+38.2%), while cosmetics and toiletries sales remained almost unchanged (down 22.5%). Rapid growth was also seen in the retail of household electrical appliances in specialized stores (+13.2%), books, newspapers, stationery, audio and video products (+11.6%), pharmaceutical and medical supplies (+10.2%), information and communication technology equipment (+7.7%), and textiles, carpets, floor coverings, wallpaper, furniture, lighting, and other household items (+7.3%). Moderate growth was observed in flowers, plants, seeds, fertilizers, pets and pet food (+4.2%), watches, jewelry, and other unclassified new goods (+4.1%), and metal products, tools, building materials, and plumbing (+2.9%), while clothing, footwear, and leather goods remained almost unchanged (+0.1%).
Retail turnover of food products decreased very slightly year-on-year by 0.6%, mainly due to sales in non-specialized stores, which primarily sell food, beverages, and tobacco (i.e., supermarkets), where turnover growth was recorded. This indicates that in July, the impact of lower prices for essential goods became more visible, driven by the commitment of large retail chains to reduce prices (memorandum). This effect practically maintained food retail turnover at the previous year’s level and limited the extent of the decline. Therefore, the slight decrease does not indicate weaker consumption but rather reflects lower prices for frequently purchased goods, even if physical quantities purchased by households remained the same or increased.
Fuel retail turnover at filling stations increased by 1.7% in July compared to July 2024, driven by lower fuel prices than the previous year.
By type of retail outlet, turnover growth in July compared to the same period last year was observed in retail in stands and markets (+0.7%) and other retail outside stores, stands, and markets (+0.3%). A small increase was also recorded in mail-order and online retail (+0.2%).
Overall, from January to July this year, retail turnover remained practically unchanged. Compared to January–July 2024, it was 0.2% higher. This was largely due to a decline in food retail turnover by 3.0%. Non-food retail turnover increased by 3.0%, while fuel retail turnover decreased by 1.1%.
Prepared by:
Analytical Department, Ministry of Economics