Slovakia Retail Sales Fall in April

Retail sales in Slovakia fell 0.2% year-on-year in April 2026, following a 6.2% jump in the previous month. The drop was mainly driven by a decrease in 4 of the 9 retail segments. Growth slowed in sales of automotive fuel in specialized stores (5.8% vs 22.1% in March), while activity declined sharply in hypermarkets and supermarkets (-7.3% vs 7.3%) and via stalls and supermarkets (-14.2% vs 2%). At the same time, sales declined further in food, beverage, and tobacco (-4.6% vs -1.6%) and trade outside shops, stalls, and markets (-9.2% vs -7.5%). In contrast, activity recorded increases in ICT equipment (8.9% vs 8.4%), cultural and recreation goods in specialized stores (15.5% vs 9%), and other household equipment in specialized stores (11.9% vs 6.7%). On a seasonally adjusted monthly basis, retail sales dropped 1.8% in April from a 2.6% rise in the preceding period, marking the lowest reading since January 2025.

Retail sales in Slovakia rose 6.2% year-on-year in March 2026, rebounding from a 2.5% decline in the previous month and marking the strongest growth since December 2024. The expansion was supported by positive contributions from 7 of the 9 retail segments. Growth was mainly driven by sales of automotive fuel in specialized stores, which surged 22.1% after a 1.8% decline in February, as higher petrol and diesel prices due to Middle East tensions. Sales in hypermarkets and supermarkets also rose 7.3%, reversing from a 1.0% drop in the previous month. Additional support came from higher sales of other goods in specialized stores (5.8% vs -0.5% in February), cultural and recreation goods in specialized stores (9.0% vs 1.8%), and other household equipment in specialized stores (6.7% vs 0.3%). In contrast, the overall annual retail performance was weighed down by weaker e-commerce and mail-order sales. On a monthly basis, retail activity rose 2.6% in March after a 0.1% increase in February.

Retail sales in Slovakia declined 2.5% year-on-year in February 2026, easing from a 3.7% fall in the previous month, marking the fourth consecutive month of contraction. The decline moderated in food, beverages, and tobacco (-3.9% vs -4.2% in January), automotive fuel (-1.8% vs -4.9%), other goods (-0.5% vs -4.2%), and trade outside shops, stalls, and markets (-10% vs -10.9%). At the same time, growth slowed in ICT equipment (18.4% vs 27%) and goods for culture and recreation (1.8% vs 7.9%), while trade in other household goods rebounded (0.3% vs -8.9%). Meanwhile, sales in non-specialized stores turned negative (-1% vs 0.5%), and declines persisted in products sold in stalls and markets (-22.4% vs -21.5%). On a monthly basis, retail trade edged up 0.1% in February, recovering from a 1.2% fall in January.