Reduction in food sales

According to KSH data, the total value of retail sales was HUF 1777 billion for the first four months of 2007. Food sales accounted for 51,1 per cent of total retail turnover. Total turnover of retail stores amounted to HUF 500 billion in April. Food sales continued to decline. Sales in April were 0,8 per cent lower than a year ago. While revenues of mixed profile stores like hyper markets fell by only 0,3 per cent, that of specialised stores declined by 5,9 per cent. According to a Eurostat estimate, the volume of retail trade grew by an average of 2,7 per cent in the 27 EU countries, while this figure was 1,6 per cent for countries in the Euro zone.