Trade increased for food, beverages & tobacco (6.8% vs 4.4% in September). At the same time, sales of non-food products fell at a slower pace (-0.2% vs -3.3%), particularly textiles, clothing, footwear and leather goods (-7.6% vs -15%). On a seasonally adjusted monthly basis, retail trade rose by 1% in October, following an upwardly revised 0.7% gain in September.

A separate report from the Sofia-based institute showed that industrial production in Bulgaria fell at a softer 5.4% year-on-year in October from 11.5% drop in the previous month. On a seasonally adjusted monthly basis, industrial production rose 2.6% in October, rebounding from a 2.7% fall in the previous month.

Construction output fell by 1% year-on-yea r in October, following a downwardly revised 1.8% drop in the previous month. On a seasonally adjusted monthly basis, construction output rose by 0.2% in October, after a 0.3% fall in September.