Poland’s retail sector started 2026 with slower, but still positive, momentum as year-over-year sales growth eased to 3.9% in January, down from 5.0% in December 2025. The latest reading, updated on 23 February 2026, confirms a moderation in consumer activity after a stronger end to last year.
Both figures are calculated on a year-over-year basis, comparing each month’s performance to the same month a year earlier. While the deceleration suggests that the surge in retail demand seen late in 2025 is losing some strength, the continued positive growth indicates that consumer spending remains a supportive pillar for Poland’s economy entering the new year. Investors and policymakers will now watch upcoming data closely to see whether January’s slowdown marks a temporary pause or the start of a more sustained cooling in retail activity.
