INS: Retail trade turnover volume fell by 5.7% in the first seven months

Retail trade turnover (excluding trade in motor vehicles and motorcycles) decreased in the first seven months of this year compared with the same period in 2025, both in gross series, by 5.7%, and in seasonally and working-day adjusted series, by 5.8%, according to data from the National Institute of Statistics published on Friday.

The most significant decreases were recorded for non-food products, by 7.2% in the gross series and 7.4% in the adjusted series. Fuel sales fell by 4.5% and 2.9%, respectively, while sales of food products, beverages and tobacco decreased by 4.4% and 4.5%, respectively.

INS data thus indicate a recovery in commercial activity in July compared with the previous month, but also a significant deterioration in sales compared with last year. In the first seven months, all the main segments of retail trade were down compared with the same period in 2025.