FX.co ★ Romania Retail Sales Slip After Over 2-Year Rise

Retail sales in Romania experienced a 2.1% decline year-on-year in August 2025, a reversal from the upwardly revised 3.5% increase registered in July, which marked a five-month peak. This recent decrease represents the first contraction in retail activity since April 2023. The drop was primarily driven by a sharper decline in sales of food, beverages, and tobacco, which fell by 4.4%, compared to a marginal 0.3% decrease in July. Moreover, the trade of non-food products fell by 0.4%, a turnaround from a 5% increase the previous month. Additionally, the growth in sales of automotive fuels slowed significantly to 5.9%, down from 11.1% in July. On a month-to-month basis, retail sales decreased by 4% in August, representing a steeper slide from the adjusted 0.7% decline observed in the prior period.