Croatia Retail Sales Growth Eases to 3-Month Low

Retail sales in Croatia rose by 2.9% year-on-year in September 2026, easing from 3.1% in the previous month and marking the slowest growth in three months. The slowdown came as sales of automotive fuels and lubricants declined further (-11.9% vs -9.9% in August), while sales via the internet or mail order slipped by 0.1%, following a 2.6% increase. Meanwhile, growth accelerated in sales of food, beverages, and tobacco (4.3% vs 3.5%), non-food products (3.1% vs 2.7%), and trade excluding automotive fuels and lubricants in specialised stores (3.8% vs 3.5%). On a monthly basis, retail sales increased by 0.5% in September, following a 0.6% rise in August. In the January–September period, retail sales grew by 2.4% compared with the same period a year earlier.

Retail sales in Croatia rose by 3.1% year-on-year in August 2026, easing from a seven-month high of 3.6% in the previous month. Sales growth moderated in food, beverages, and tobacco, slowing to 3.5% from 3.9%, while non-food products grew by 2.7%, down from 4.4% in July. Moreover, trade, excluding automotive fuels and lubricants in specialized stores, posted weaker growth of 3.5%, down from 3.9%. Sales of automotive fuels and lubricants declined at a faster pace, falling by 9.9% after increasing by 2.7% in July. Meanwhile, sales via the internet or mail order rebounded, rising by 2.6% after falling by 3.6% in the previous month. On a monthly basis, retail trade grew by 0.6% in August, slowing from a 1.4% gain in July. In the January–August period, retail sales rose by 2.4% compared with the same period a year earlier.

Retail sales in Croatia rose by 3.6% year-on-year in July 2026, accelerating from a 0.4% increase in the previous month and extending growth for the 40th consecutive period. This marked the strongest growth since December 2025, as sales of non-food products excluding automotive fuels and lubricants increased by 4.5% (vs. 1.5% in June), while sales of food, beverages, and tobacco rose by 3.9% (vs. 2.9%). On the other hand, sales of automotive fuels and lubricants declined by 2.8%, easing from a 12.9% drop in June. Retail sales via the internet or mail order also fell by 3.6% (vs. -3.2%). On a monthly basis, retail trade increased by 1.4% in July, slowing slightly from a 1.5% gain in June. In the first seven months of 2026, retail sales increased by 2.2% compared with the same period a year earlier.