Retail sales in Bulgaria grew by 7.1% year-on-year in June, easing from a 7.9% increase in May. The overall slowdown was mainly driven by weaker activity in specialized automotive fuel shops (3.1% vs. 13.7%) and in food, beverages, and tobacco (4.1% vs. 4.7%).
By contrast, sales of non-food products excluding fuels accelerated to 9.9% from 8.3%. This was supported by stronger demand in non-specialized stores (10.6% vs. 10.2%), mail-order and internet retail (26.4% vs. 19.1%), and textiles, clothing, and footwear (22.5% vs. 23.0%).
Within non-food categories, growth moderated for household appliances, furniture, and other household goods (9.0% vs. 11.2%), and for computers and communications equipment (8.0% vs. 4.0%). Meanwhile, sales of pharmaceutical and medical goods, cosmetics, and toiletries returned to positive territory, expanding by 1.0% after a 2.5% decline in the previous month.
On a monthly basis, retail sales rose 0.5% in June, slowing from a revised 0.7% increase in May.
