Retail sales in Slovakia rose by 5.5% year-on-year in September 2026, up from 1.6% in August and reaching their highest growth rate since March. The acceleration was driven by higher turnover in several categories, including automotive fuel in specialized stores (6.0% vs. 0.4% in August), information and communication equipment (11.4% vs. 8.5%), and other goods (11.8% vs. 1.8%).
Sales also returned to growth in non-specialized stores (0.1% vs. -2.0%), while declines moderated in sales via stalls and markets (-0.5% vs. -10.2%) and in sales outside stores, stalls, and markets (-1.5% vs. -4.6%).
By contrast, sales fell in food, beverages, and tobacco (-3.3% vs. 0.4%) and weakened further for cultural and recreation goods (-5.7% vs. -4.3%).
On a seasonally adjusted monthly basis, retail trade expanded by 2.1% in September, following a 0.9% increase in August.
