The volume of sales, adjusted for calendar effects, remained flat in specialized and non-specialized food shops year-on-year in December, while rising by 8.0% in non-food retail shops, and by 4.9% in automotive fuel retail.

Within food retail, the volume of sales grew by 0.9% in non-specialized food and beverages shops (accounting for 79% of food retail), while falling by 1.2% in specialized food, beverage and tobacco stores.

Within the turnover of non-food retail, sales rose in shops selling pharmaceutical, medical and cosmetics goods (8.5%), manufactured goods (8.4%), textiles, clothing and footwear (6.8%), and furniture and electrical goods (5.3%). In contrast, the volume of sales fell in second-hand goods shops (-3.6%), as well as in stores selling books, computer equipment, and other specialized items (-1.5%).

The volume of mail order and internet retail, accounting for 5.9% of all retail sales and involving a wide range of goods, rose by 31%, continuing a multi-year expansion.

The volume of sales in automotive fuel stations increased by 4.9%. Sales of motor vehicles and motor vehicle parts and accessories, not belonging to retail data, increased by 3.5%.

In absolute terms in December 2018, sales in the national retail trade network, as well as in mail order and internet retail, totaled HUF 1,141 billion at current prices.

Food, drink and tobacco stores accounted for 46% of all retail sales, while the relevant figures for non-food retail shops and the network of petrol stations were 42% and 12%, respectively.

In 2018 as a whole, the volume of sales – also according to calendar-adjusted data – was 6.0% higher than in the previous year. The volume of sales rose by 3.4% in food, drink and tobacco shops, by 9.1% in non-food retail, and by 6.4% in automotive fuel retail.

In absolute terms in 2018, sales of shops that sell food reached HUF 5,150.3 bln for the year, while turnover in shops in the non-food category reached HUF 4,403.2 bln.

Vehicle fuel sales reached HUF 1,881.6 bln, and vehicle and vehicle parts sales, which are not included in overall retail sales, stood at HUF 656.2 bln.

Data for the retail trade in January 2019 will be published on March 5.