Hungary’s calendar-adjusted retail sales dropped by 0.4% y/y in June 2013, reversing from an annual increase in the previous two months, the statistics office said, confirming the preliminary data, published on August 5. In monthly terms, sales declined by 1.9% in seasonal and calendar-adjusted terms, faster than May’s 1.7% m/m fall.
The annual drop reflected a decrease in both food and non-food trade, down by 1.8% y/y and 0.5% y/y, respectively. By contrast, automotive fuel sales advanced by 2.4% y/y, growing for the third month in row.
Within the non-food category, sales in non-specialized stores reversed to a 2.3% y/y drop in June. Similarly, sales of books, computer equipment were down by 4.9% y/y in June, after rising by 1.4% y/y in May. Sales of pharmaceutical and medical goods as well as of furniture and electrical goods declined by 1.5% y/y and 3.1% y/y, respectively. On the other hand, turnover of second hand stores picked up by 0.7% y/y and retail trade of cosmetics advanced by 1.1% y/y. Sales of textiles, clothing, footwear increased by 1.9% y/y. Mail orders retail trade remained the fastest growing segment (62.7% y/y), positively influenced by the strong expansion of online sales. However, the sector had a relatively low contribution to the overall index.
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