Romania Retail Sales Drop the Most in Over 5 Years

Retail sales in Romania fell by 2% year-on-year in December 2025, easing from a downwardly revised 3.9% decline in the previous month. This marked the fifth consecutive month of contraction in retail activity, albeit at a softer pace, as sales growth slowed for food, beverages, and tobacco (-3% vs -4.9% in November) and non-food products (-2.3% vs -3.4%). At the same time, sales increased for automotive fuel in specialised stores (3.2% vs 2.3%). On a monthly basis, retail activity rose by 0.6% in December, following an upwardly revised 0.2% gain in the preceding period.

Retail sales in Romania decreased by 4% year-on-year in November 2025, following an upwardly revised 4.1% drop in October. Sales fell at a slower pace for food, beverages, and tobacco (-5.1% vs -6.8% in October) but declined more sharply for non-food products (-3.3% vs -2.4%). At the same time, sales of automotive fuel in specialised stores rose by 2.3%, slowing from a 3% growth in the prior month. On a monthly basis, retail sales edged up 0.1% in November, after an upwardly revised 1.2% fall in October.

Retail sales in Romania fell by 4% year-on-year in October 2025, following an upwardly revised 2.1% decline in the previous two months. This marked the sharpest decline in retail activity since April 2020, as sales decreased for automotive fuels (3.4% vs 4% in September). At the same time, activity declined further for food, beverages, and tobacco (-6.9% vs -4.7%) and non-food products (-2.2% vs -1%). On a monthly basis, retail activity dropped by 1.1% from a downwardly revised 1.1% gain in the preceding period.