Czech retail sales showed promising momentum in February, with a year-on-year increase of 3.8%, accelerating from January’s 3.2% growth. The latest data from the Czech Statistical Office reveals a modest month-on-month uptick of 0.4%, driven primarily by e-commerce and fuel sales.
Jana Gotvaldova, head of trade, transport, and services statistics at the Czech Statistical Office, reports broad-based growth across most retail segments. “After adjusting for price effects, retail sales increased across food, fuel, and non-food goods categories,” she noted.
The digital commerce sector emerged as the standout performer, with online and mail-order retailers recording an impressive 13.2% year-over-year increase. Fuel sales followed with an 8.1% rise, while non-food goods and food items grew by 4% and 2.2% respectively.
Specialty retailers showed mixed results. Cosmetics and toiletries stores saw a robust 9% growth, while sports and cultural goods retailers experienced a 6.9% increase. Healthcare and pharmaceutical products rose by 5.3%, and computer and communication equipment sales grew by 4.3%.
However, not all sectors shared in the success. Household goods retailers faced a 5.8% decline, while clothing and footwear stores saw sales drop by 5.1%.