Romania Retail Sales Fall at a Slower Pace

Retail sales in Romania fell by 4.7% year-on-year in May 2026, easing from a downwardly revised 6.2% drop in the previous month. This marked the tenth consecutive month of decline in retail activity albeit at a softer pace, driven largely by a smaller decrease in sales for automotive fuel in specialized stores (-2% vs -2.2%). Turnover also declined at a lesser extent for food, beverages, and tobacco (-4.3% vs -6.1% in April) and non-food products (-5.3% vs -7.6%). On a monthly basis, retail activity grew by 1.3% in May, rebounding from a downwardly revised 2.4% drop in the preceding period.

Retail sales in Romania fell by 6.3% year-on-year in April 2026, following a 3.8% drop in the previous month, marking the ninth consecutive month of contraction and the steepest decline since April 2020. Turnover from food, beverages, and tobacco continued to deteriorate, declining 6.6% after a 3.5% fall in March, while automotive fuel purchases in specialised stores slipped 2.1%, reversing from a 2.8% increase. Additionally, sales of non-food products remained weak, falling 7.9% for a second straight month. On a monthly basis, retail activity declined 2.6% in April, reversing a 2.0% increase in the preceding period.

Retail sales in Romania fell 3.2% year-on-year in March 2026, easing from a downwardly revised 5.9% decline in the previous month, marking the eighth consecutive month of contraction. Sales of automotive fuel in specialised stores returned to growth (4.1% vs -3.7% in February). At the same time, the decline in non-food products softened (-7.4% vs -9.4%). In contrast, sales of food, beverages, and tobacco fell further (-3.0% vs -1.1%). On a monthly basis, retail activity jumped 2.6% in March, following an upwardly revised 0.5% increase in the preceding period.