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In raw data, retail turnover was up 1.9% compared to the same month of 2024. The expansion was broad-based, with sales increasing across food, non-food, and fuel segments.
Calendar-adjusted sales volumes grew by 2.3% in specialized and non-specialized food shops, by 4.9% in non-food retailing, and by 2.2% in automotive fuel retailing.
Among food retailers, non-specialized food and beverage stores – which account for 76% of the segment – saw a 3.9% increase in sales, while specialized food, beverage, and tobacco shops recorded a 2% decline.
Non-food retail trade saw the strongest performance, with volumes rising 8.7% in textiles, clothing, and footwear shops, 6.6% in pharmaceutical, medical goods, and cosmetics stores as well as in non-specialized manufactured goods outlets. Sales in second-hand stores climbed 3.3%, furniture and electrical goods sales increased 2.5%, and books, computer equipment, and other specialized stores registered a slight 0.3% uptick.
E-commerce also remained strong, with mail order and internet retailing – which accounts for 7.2% of all retail trade – expanding by 6.6% year-on-year. Meanwhile, automotive fuel stations reported a 2.2% increase in sales volume, reflecting both stronger consumer mobility and moderate fuel price stability.
Overall, domestic retail sales in August totaled HUF 1,735 billion at current prices. Food shops generated 51% of national retail turnover, non-food retailers accounted for 34%, and automotive fuel stations made up the remaining 15%.
Looking at the broader period between January and August 2025, retail sales volume rose 2.8% compared to the same period of the previous year. Within this, food retailing grew 2.7%, non-food trade expanded 4.3%, and automotive fuel retailing increased 0.7%.
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