Adjusted food sales grew by 2.7%, non-food sales dropped by 2.1% and vehicle fuel sales grew by 3.9%.

Month on month, retail sales edged down by a seasonally and calendar-year adjusted 0.6%. In the first two months of the year, retail sales fell by an adjusted 0.8%.

A detailed breakdown of the data shows adjusted retail sales rose at supermarkets, appliances shops, drugstores and pharmacies, and petrol stations, but fell at other shops. In absolute terms, retail sales came to 1,395 billion forints (EUR 3.6bn) in February.

Food sales accounted for 50% of the total, non-food sales for 34% and sales at petrol stations for 16%.

Commenting on the data, the national economy ministry said growth in two consecutive months meant the retail sector has started to rebound, after 13 months of contraction.

The government’s measures to bring inflation down to 3.7% by February, growing real wages since September and the resulting return of consumer trust contributed to the change, the ministry said.

Real wages are expected to grow by more than 5% this year, which would drive domestic demand.

The government will also restart growth this year and further boost it next year to support consumption, the ministry said.

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