Retail sales also increased in July, although a decline is visible on a monthly basis

According to seasonally and calendar-adjusted data, retail sales volumes were 0.5 percent lower than in the previous month.

Within the 2.3 percent growth of food and mixed food retail, sales volumes in mixed food stores – accounting for 76 percent of the segment – rose by 3.4 percent, while food, beverage and tobacco specialty stores saw a 1.2 percent decline, calendar-adjusted year-on-year.

Overall, non-food retail sales volumes increased by 2.9 percent. Sales grew by 5.4 percent in pharmaceutical, medical goods and cosmetics stores, by 3.6 percent in non-specialized industrial goods shops, and by 0.9 percent in furniture and electrical goods stores. At the same time, volumes fell by 0.9 percent in book, computer and other specialized stores, by 1.2 percent in textile, clothing and footwear shops, and by 1.6 percent in second-hand stores.

Mail order and internet retail, accounting for 8.1 percent of total retail, grew by 6.8 percent, according to KSH.

Motor vehicle and parts sales, not included in retail trade data, rose by 17 percent.

Nationwide retail sales at current prices amounted to HUF 1,739 billion in July.

The report also reveals that 50 percent of national retail sales were realized in food and mixed food stores, 35 percent in non-food retail, and 15 percent in fuel stations.

Between January and July, retail sales volumes increased by 2.9 percent compared to the same period of the previous year, calendar-adjusted. Food and mixed food retail rose by 2.8 percent, non-food retail by 4.2 percent, and fuel retail by 0.5 percent.