Poland's May data shows retail sales up 3%, wages rise 5.8% while employment slips

Poland’s statistical office reported that retail sales in May increased 3 % year‑on‑year, slightly below the 3.8 % market consensus. The strongest growth was seen in “other” goods (+10.8 %) and fuels (+9.9 %). Online sales rose 9.9 % YoY, but the share of e‑commerce in total retail fell from 8.8 % to 9.2 %.

Average gross wages in the enterprise sector rose 5.8 % YoY to 9 173 zł, though they fell 3.8 % from April. Employment in the sector declined 0.9 % YoY and 0.1 % MoM, equating to a loss of about 9 000 jobs in May and 56 000 over the year, with the biggest drops in mining, professional services, energy and processing.

Unemployment registered at 5.9 % in May, down 0.1 % from April but up 133 000 people compared with May 2025. Fuel prices were adjusted on 22 June: gasoline 95‑octane expected at 5.84‑5.97 zł per litre, diesel at 5.99‑6.14 zł per litre.