Retail activity in Slovakia weakened again in August, showing that household spending remains under pressure despite signs of stability in some parts of the economy. According to the national statistics office, overall retail sales were slightly below last year’s level, continuing a pattern of sluggish performance that has persisted for much of 2025. Rising prices have outpaced revenue growth for six of the past eight months, leaving real sales volumes lower even where nominal turnover appeared stable. The slowdown was most visible among smaller and specialized retailers. Businesses selling groceries, alcohol, and tobacco recorded a sharp drop in receipts, and online stores and mail-order businesses also suffered a double-digit setback. Demand for discretionary goods such as books, toys, and sporting items followed the same downward trend. By contrast, larger general retailers were more resilient. Major supermarket and hypermarket chains managed modest year-on-year growth, benefiting from steady consumer footfall and continued price-based competition. Clothing shops, pharmacies, and beauty retailers also registered small improvements, though these were not enough to reverse the wider sectoral decline. When adjusted for seasonal effects, August’s results were broadly unchanged from July, suggesting that the market has at least stabilized after earlier fluctuations. Cumulatively, results for the first eight months of 2025 show a slight contraction in retail trade compared with the same period last year. Smaller sectors such as food and leisure goods remain the most affected, while stronger categories like large-scale food retail continue to offset part of the losses. Outside the retail segment, other parts of domestic commerce fared better. Wholesale businesses reported a noticeable year-on-year increase, and hotels recorded marginal gains as tourism continued to recover. Car dealers, repair shops, and restaurants, however, posted weaker figures, reflecting cautious household spending on non-essential items. Economists say that the mixed results underline the uneven nature of Slovakia’s consumer economy. While inflation has eased from its peak, real incomes are still being eroded by higher living costs and a slower pace of wage growth. Households remain selective, prioritizing essentials and discounted items over discretionary purchases. If current trends continue, analysts expect only modest improvement through the remainder of the year. The key test for retailers will come in the final quarter, when holiday spending typically provides a boost—but this year’s outlook remains subdued.