Bulgaria's calendar-adjusted retail sales (excl. autos), which have been in positive territory since April rose 6.2% y/y in September after growing by 4.9% y/y in August and 4.4% y/y in July, sending positive signals for strengthening private consumption, statistics office data showed. In its autumn forecast, the European Commission said that the restructuring of the economy towards the export sector is expected to lessen in the second half of the year and instead growth will be promoted by stronger household demand.
In seasonally-adjusted terms, retail sales increased 0.6% m/m in September, following a growth of 0.7% m/m the month before.
The highest growth was reported by sales of textiles, clothes and shoes, which surged 27.6% y/y in Sep. The consumption of food, beverages and tobacco climbed 8% y/y in September. The retail sales of consumer electronics, furniture and other household goods increased 5% y/y. Pharmaceuticals and cosmetics sales added 1.6% y/y. Gasoline and lubricants sales went up 7.3% y/y.
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