Retail sales edged down 0.2pc according to unadjusted data.

Adjusted food sales increased 3.5pc, non-food sales rose 5.0pc and vehicle fuel sales inched 0.4pc higher.

Retail sales edged down 0.6pc in a month-on-month comparison, adjusted for seasonal and calendar year effects.

In absolute terms, retail sales came to HUF 1,446bn in February. Food sales accounted for 50pc of the total, non-food sales for 35pc and sales at petrol stations for 15pc.

In January-February, retail sales were up 4.0pc according to calendar-adjusted data.

Commenting on the data, the National Economy Ministry said the increasing retail turnover reflected strengthening consumer confidence.

It noted that the recently introduced cap on food markups had been effective as the prices of the affected products had fallen by more than 18pc.

Thanks to growing real wages and more affordable retail prices, consumption should continue to increase in the coming months, the ministry said.

Full report available here
 

Source: 
MTI - The Hungarian News Agency, founded in 1881.

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