Tourism boosts consumption: trade up 6.8%, fuel sales rise 8.4%

Retail trade grew 6.8% in the second quarter of the year compared to the same period of 2025. The biggest gains came from non-food items, hydrocarbons and food products, confirming a positive trend in retail sales.

Retail trade continued to grow during the second quarter of 2026, with sales volume up 6.8% compared to the same period a year earlier.

According to INSTAT data, the retail sales volume index reached 125 points. Compared to the first quarter of the year, after seasonal adjustment, sales volume rose 1.6%.

Growth was recorded both in fuel sales and in other retail trade activities. Excluding hydrocarbons, sales volume rose 6.3% year-on-year, while hydrocarbon trade in specialized units grew 8.4%.

The largest contribution to overall growth came from non-food items, at 2.7 percentage points. Hydrocarbons followed with 2.1 percentage points, while food, beverages and tobacco contributed 2 percentage points.

By category, sales of food, beverages and tobacco rose 6%, while non-food items posted a 6.4% increase compared to the second quarter of 2025.

On a quarterly basis, retail trade continued to expand as well. Non-food items rose 1.9%, while hydrocarbon sales grew 2.1% compared to the first quarter of this year.

INSTAT data thus shows a positive trend in consumption and retail sales activity during the first half of 2026.