Decrease in retail sales - February 2023

Economic indicators
Decrease in retail sales - February 2023

In February 2023, retail trade registered a decrease in its volume compared to the same month of the previous year.

The volume of sales in retail trade, excluding fuels, has decreased by 5.9% compared to the same month last year. Retail sale in non-specialised stores with food, beverages or tobacco predominating also registers a decrease (-7%), just like retail sale of other goods in specialised stores (-1.8%) and other household equipment (-1.7%). On the other hand, the sector of textiles, clothing, footwear and leather goods in specialised stores shows an increase (+3.3%), as well as the retail sale of automotive fuels (+0.2%).

The sharpest increases were registered in:

  • Other retail sale in non-specialised stores (+6.3%)
  • Retail sale via stalls and markets (+3.9%)
  • Retail sale of textiles, clothing, footwear and leather goods in specialised stores (+3.3%)
  • Retail sale of pharmaceuticals, medical and orthopaedic goods, cosmetic and toilet articles in specialised stores (+1.8%)

The sharpest decreases were observed in:

  • Retail sale via mail order houses or via Internet (-15.9%)
  • Retail trade not in stores, stalls or markets (-11.5%)
  • Retail sale of non-food products except automotive fuel (-7.9%)
  • Retail sale of food, beverages and tobacco in specialised stores (-7.8%)

In February 2023, the volume of sales decreased in most major trade sectors

After a decrease of 19.1% in January compared to December, the volume of sales in retail trade continues to decline in February (-8.7%), both in retail sale in non-specialised stores with food, beverages or tobacco predominating (-5.5% in February vs -20.1% in January) and retail sale of other goods in specialised stores (-11.3% vs -18.9%), and both in other household equipment (-7.9% vs -10.6%) and textiles, clothing, footwear and leather goods in specialised stores (-30.3%) vs -11.6%). On the other hand, the retail sale of automotive fuel in specialised stores recovers after the decrease in January (+2.6% vs -12%).

More info

These indices are expressed with reference year 2015=100.

Since January 2021, following the new European FRIBS regulation (Regulation (EU) 2019/2152), breakdowns for retail trade have changed. Some breakdowns no longer exist and new ones have been implemented.

Our methodology also changed: the main data source is the VAT declaration of enterprises to the FPS Finances, and no longer a survey. Only +/- 340 major enterprises will continue to answer the survey. The indices have been recalculated with the new methodology since 2010.