The volume of retail sales in Hungary grew by 4.6 percent year-on-year in the month of October 2015. The largest increase of 8 percent was registered at durable goods retailers, which signals the improvement of consumer confidence and higher disposable incomes at households.

In October 2015, data adjusted for calendar effects and unadjusted data show growth of 4.6 percent and 4.1 percent, respectively, year-on-year.

As far as various retail categories are concerned, the volume of sales was up by 2.1 percent at retailers of food, beverages and tobacco products as well as non-specialized food, 8 percent at non-food stores and by 3.4 percent at filling stations.

Month-on-month data also signal that consumers have adapted shopping habits to shopping-free Sundays, as sales volumes were higher in all three categories compared to the month of September.

In the initial ten months of 2015, the volume of retail sales grew by 5.8 percent year-on-year. Retail data confirm that the confidence of households has improved and they have also turned more upbeat in terms of income outlook. Household confidence hit the highest level in a year in October, boosted by low inflation, rising wages and improving employment situation.

(Ministry for National Economy)