The dynamics of retail turnover growth accelerated to a two-year high

Retail trade was prospering in April 2024, its turnover increased by 9.6%, which was the most in the last 25 months. The positive result was mainly due to the high turnover growth of e-shops, however, in April, the year-on-year turnover improvement was manifested in all trade patterns, except of gas stations.

Retail turnover¹⁾ constant prices rose for the fourth consecutive month, increasing by 9.6% in April 2024, which was the most since March 2022. However, their current significant growth was affected by a lower comparative base last year, when retail turnover was below due to high inflation after conversion to constant prices in the recession.

From January 2024, all absolute values and year-on-year index values were recalculated in connection with changes in the data calculation methodology²⁾.

Up to 8 out of 9 components of retail trade achieved a year-on-year higher turnover at constant prices. The  sector´s overall result was most significantly affected by the turnover growth of e-shops (sale outside stores, stands and markets) by 44.5%, but also by a 13.8% turnover increase in specialized stores, e.g. footwear, textiles, drugstores or pharmacies (specialized sale of other goods) and also their increase by 4.2% in large non-specialized hyper- and supermarkets. The positive result was also contributed by the double-digit turnover growth of specialized food, beverage and tobacco stores and stores of toys, sporting goods, books, etc. (specialized sale of goods for culture and recreation).

The final retail value was dampened only by year-on-year lower gas station´s turnover (fuel sales), which dropped by 11.3% compared to last year.

Download high resolution chart format PDF (78 kB) or PNG (174 kB).

Year-on-year development of other components of trade in April 2024

Year-on-year, turnover rose by 4.9% in sale and repair of motor vehicles and motorcycles¹⁾. All three components of this type of sale were in positive numbers. After four months, it increased also in wholesale³⁾, namely by 7.9%. A 9.1% increase in turnover was also registered by food and beverage service sector¹⁾. It slightly decreased only in accommodation¹⁾ by 1.7%.

Download high resolution chart format PDF (75 kB) or PNG (126 kB).

Month-on-month development in April 2024 compared to March 2024

Turnover after seasonal adjustment in April month-on-month⁴⁾ rose in wholesale³⁾ by 2.6%, retail trade¹⁾ by 2.4% and in food and beverage service activities¹⁾ by 2.1%, turnover decreased in sale and repair of motor vehicles¹⁾ by 2.4% and in accommodation¹⁾ by 0.6%.

Development for 2024

In total, in the first four months of 2024, turnover rose year-on-year in sale and repair of motor vehicles¹⁾ by 1.5%, in retail trade¹⁾ by 4.2% and in food and beverage service activities¹⁾ by 6%. Only wholesale³⁾ by 1.8% and accommodation¹⁾ by 0.4% recorded a year-on-year lower turnover.