Detectable drop in retail sales

Retail sales were down by 3.9 percent in December 2008, compared to December 2007. The year on year drop was 2.1 percent in the above period. Retail sales totalled HUF 6,350 billion in 2008, with December accounting for 11 percent of the total. FMCG sales accounted for 52 percent of the total in 2008. Sales generated by FMCG stores were down by 1.2 percent in 2008, compared to 2007. Sales of general stores which account for 92 percent of total sales were down by 1.8 percent last year, while sales of specialised food, beverage and tobacco stores were up by 2.3 percent. Sales in the non-food sector were down by 2.8 percent in 208, compared to 2007. The central region of the country continued to account for the largest part of retail sales (37 percent). The biggest drop in sales (2.6 percent) was recorded in the south-western region.