Romania posts largest increase of retail sales among the EU states in April

Romania registered the largest increase of the retail sales among the 28 European Union member states in April, of 7.4 percent year-on-year in calendar adjusted series, Eurostat data show.

Romania is followed by Poland (+6.6 percent) and Lithuania (+6.5 percent). The largest decreases were observed in Malta (-3.1 percent), Belgium (-1.5 percent), and Slovenia (-1.4 percent).

‘’Non-food items and fuel were the main drivers for the rebound in April retail sales. Non-food retail sales accelerated from 5.4% to 9.3% year on year but were likely driven by Easter gifts, while people used more fuel to drive around the country during the Easter holidays, leading to a sharp rise in fuel sales from -3.6% to 11.8% YoY’’, ING Bank analysts said on Tuesday in a research note.

Compared with March, the highest increases in retail sales were registered in April in Germany (+2.3 percent) and Romania (+1.7 percent).

National Institute of Statistics (INS) data showed on Tuesday that Romania’s retail sales, a key index of consumer market, rose by 6.7 percent year-on-year in April, boosted by Easter holidays.

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In the first four months of this year, the retail trade growth rate accelerated to 6.5 percent, from 6.3 percent in January-April 2017.