Romania Retail Sales Continue to Fall

Retail sales in Romania fell by 6.5% year-on-year in January 2026, deepening from a 2% decline in the previous month, marking the sixth consecutive month of contraction and the lowest reading since April 2020. Sales of food, beverages, and tobacco fell at the same pace of 3%, matching the rate recorded in the previous month, while declines deepened for non-food products (-7.9% vs -2.3%). At the same time, sales of automotive fuel in specialised stores reversed to a decline (-4.8% vs 3.2%). On a monthly basis, retail activity fell 3.7% in January, reversing from a 0.6% growth in the preceding period.

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.