Retail sales in Lithuania increased by 5.7% year-on-year in March 2026, accelerating from an upwardly revised 2.9% growth in February. The rebound was driven in part by a return to growth in sales of food, alcoholic beverages, and tobacco (up 1.9% vs a 0.3% decline in February). Retail trade excluding automotive fuel also strengthened (5.5% vs 2.3%), supported by continued gains in mail-order and internet sales (21.2% vs 20.8%), automotive fuel (6.5% vs 5.4%), and non-food products (8.1% vs 4.3%).
Among specialised non-food stores, sales improved across several categories. Turnover rose for audio and video equipment, hardware, furniture, and lighting (2.8% vs -8.3%); for cultural and recreational goods, watches and jewellery, and other new goods (0.2% vs -0.7%); for textiles, clothing, and footwear (1.9% vs 0.5%); for information and communication equipment; and for pharmaceuticals, medical goods, and cosmetics (9.4% vs 6.7%).
On a monthly basis, retail activity grew by 2.3% in March, recovering from a revised 2% decline in February.
