Retail sales in Bulgaria increased by 7.9% year-on-year in May, accelerating from a 7.4% rise in April. Growth was broad-based across most major categories, with notable gains in food, beverages, and tobacco (4.7% vs. 2.7% in April), as well as automotive fuels sold in specialized stores (13.7% vs. 8.6%).
By contrast, growth in non-food sales excluding fuel slowed to 8.3% from 10.1%. This moderation reflected weaker performance in several segments: household appliances, furniture, and other household goods (up 11.2% vs. 14.4% previously); computer and communications equipment and other consumer goods (4.0% vs. 8.9%); and mail-order, telephone, and internet sales (19.1% vs. 21.0%). Meanwhile, trade in pharmaceutical and medical goods, cosmetics, and toiletries contracted at a faster pace, with sales down 2.5% after a 0.2% decline in April.
On a monthly basis, retail turnover rose by 0.8% in May, recovering from a downwardly revised 1.0% decrease in the previous month.
