Hungary's retail sales climb 3.6% in April as discount chains surge

Hungary's Central Statistical Office reported that retail turnover rose 3.6% year‑over‑year in April, reaching 1,742 billion forints, while growth slowed to 1.2% compared with March’s 8.2% jump. Adjusted for calendar effects, food‑related stores grew 3.4%, non‑food stores 2.6%, and fuel stations 9.1%. Online and parcel‑delivery sales added 2.7%.

Trade Magazine’s annual ranking showed the nine largest supermarket chains generated a combined 9,994 billion forints in sales last year, a 6% increase from the previous year. Discount retailers led the expansion: Lidl’s revenue rose 12%, giving it the top spot with over 1,800 billion forints; Penny grew 8% to more than 678 billion; Spar posted a 6% rise. Hungarian‑owned chains (CBA, Coop, Reál) posted modest gains of 3‑4%. Tesco recorded a 0.6% decline, essentially flat. Discount chains now account for roughly 39% of total grocery sales, up from under 20% a decade ago.