Retail turnover rose slightly in January, but at the slowest pace in 5 months

Retail turnover in January rose only slightly, up to 1%. The overall growth was supported by the two largest components – non-specialized sales in hyper- and supermarkets and spe-cialized sales, e.g. shoes, textile or drug-stores. A better result was hampered by a turnover decrease in other retail stores.

Retail turnover¹⁾ in January 2025 increased by 0.8% year-on-year. In real terms, the sector maintained a higher value (at constant prices) than in the corresponding period a year ago for the thirteenth consecutive month. However, the current growth rate was among the three lowest monthly values since January 2024. Compared to the previous month, seasonally adjusted retail turnover dropped by 9%.

Only 2 out of 9 components of retail trade had higher turnover at constant prices than a year ago, namely hyper- and supermarkets (large non-specialized stores) by 3.3% and specialized textile, footwear, drugstore, or pharmacy stores by 7.2%. However, they were the items with the highest turnover shares, which thus maintained the overall growth of retail sales during January.

The year-on-year turnover decrease  in hobby markets, furniture and electronics stores (specialized sales of household goods) by 8.7%, further in the sale of fuels by 4.3%, and also in specialized food, beverage and tobacco stores by 9.1% prevented the achievement of a better result.

Development of other components of trade in January 2025

Of the other components of internal trade, higher turnover than a year ago (at constant prices) was recorded by accommodation by 6.1%, as well as food and beverage service activities by 5.8%. On the contrary, sales and repair of motor vehicles and motorcycles had lower turnover year-on-year, by 7.1%. Wholesale turnover²⁾ (at current prices) was higher by 5.4% in January than in the corresponding period of 2024.

Compared to the previous month, after seasonal adjustments, sales of motor vehicles including their repairs decreased by 19.6%, accommodation by 14.9%, and food and beverage service activities by 1.7%. Wholesale²⁾ turnover was higher by 2.2%.