Retail turnover in Slovakia fell in March 2025 as household goods and online sales declined

Retail turnover in Slovakia continued its downward trend in March 2025, marking the second consecutive month of decline. According to data released by the Statistical Office of the Slovak Republic, retail turnover decreased by 2.5% year-on-year, with the majority of retail categories recording lower sales compared to the same period last year.

After seasonal adjustment, retail turnover also fell month-on-month by 1%. The decline was mainly driven by lower sales in hypermarkets, supermarkets, and stores selling household goods, which together make up a significant portion of the sector. Hypermarkets and supermarkets, accounting for around 40% of the retail industry’s turnover, saw their sales decrease by 4.5% year-on-year.

In contrast, specialized stores selling textiles, footwear, drugstore products, and pharmacy goods experienced growth. Their turnover rose by 6.4% year-on-year, continuing an 18-month streak of increases in constant prices.

However, other retail categories recorded notable declines. Turnover in hobby markets, furniture outlets, and electronics stores fell by 9% year-on-year. Online retail and mail-order sales also declined, posting a 3.2% drop. Smaller retail sectors, such as specialized food and beverage shops, tobacco outlets, and stores selling sports equipment, books, and toys, also saw their turnover shrink by more than 9%. Sales through market stalls and similar outlets followed the same downward trajectory.

Despite the overall decline, some segments performed better. Retailers of information and communication technology equipment recorded a significant year-on-year increase in turnover. Fuel sales also rose slightly.

For the first quarter of 2025 as a whole, retail turnover in Slovakia fell by 1.5% compared to the same period last year. Seven out of nine retail segments recorded a decline in turnover during this period.

Elsewhere in the internal trade sector, other areas showed positive developments. Sales and repairs of motor vehicles increased by 10.6% year-on-year in March 2025. The food and beverage service sector saw turnover rise by 5.3%, while wholesale turnover increased by 12.1%. Accommodation turnover, however, edged down slightly by 0.4% compared to March 2024.

Month-on-month data showed that motor vehicle sales and repairs rose by 6% in March 2025 after seasonal adjustment, while turnover in food and beverage services increased by 2.2%. By contrast, wholesale turnover fell by 0.3% and accommodation turnover declined by 5.2% over the same period.

Looking at the first three months of 2025 overall, wholesale turnover increased by 8.2% year-on-year, food and beverage services rose by 2.6%, and accommodation turnover was marginally higher by 0.3%. Meanwhile, turnover from the sale and repair of motor vehicles declined by 1.9% compared to the first quarter of 2024.

The figures indicate that while select retail segments and broader trade categories showed resilience, the overall retail sector faced ongoing challenges, particularly in household goods and online sales.

Source: SOSR