Retail sales in Slovakia declined by 0.2% year-on-year in April 2026, reversing part of the strong 6.2% increase recorded in March. The downturn was primarily driven by weaker performance in four of the nine main retail segments.
Growth in sales of automotive fuel in specialized stores slowed markedly, easing to 5.8% from 22.1% in March. Activity also fell sharply in hypermarkets and supermarkets, where sales swung to a 7.3% decline from a 7.3% increase in the previous month, and in sales via stalls and markets, which dropped 14.2% after a 2% rise. Meanwhile, sales continued to contract in food, beverages, and tobacco (-4.6% vs -1.6% in March), as well as in trade conducted outside shops, stalls, and markets (-9.2% vs -7.5%).
By contrast, several categories registered stronger growth. Sales of information and communication technology (ICT) equipment advanced 8.9% (up from 8.4%), cultural and recreational goods in specialized stores rose 15.5% (vs 9%), and sales of other household equipment in specialized stores increased 11.9% (vs 6.7%).
On a seasonally adjusted month-on-month basis, overall retail sales fell by 1.8% in April, following a 2.6% increase in March, reaching their lowest level since January 2025.
