Romania Retail Sales Fall at a Slower Pace

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.

Retail sales in Romania declined by 6.2% year-on-year in February 2026, following a downwardly revised 6.0% drop in the previous month. This marked the seventh consecutive month of contraction and the steepest decline since April 2020. Sales growth for food, beverages, and tobacco slowed sharply (-0.8% vs 3.0%), while the contraction deepened for non-food products (-9.4% vs -7.9%). Meanwhile, sales of automotive fuel in specialised stores remained in decline, though at a slightly softer pace (-4.3% vs -4.8%). On a monthly basis, retail activity edged down 0.2% in February, easing from a 3.7% drop in the previous period.

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.