The sales of fast moving consumer goods (FMCG) in Romania increased by 5.7% in value terms but by only 1.2% in comparable prices (volume terms) in 2018, according to a GfK report published on February 28, which is surprising in the context of the dispute related to the drivers of the growth and their sustainability.

FMCG sales have thus increased at a much slower rate compared to the overall retail sales (+5.4% in 2018) as reported by the statistics institute INS.

Food sales and non-food sales increased by 6.1% in 2018, in volume terms, the statistics office reported. This is five times faster than the FMCG sales, and the discrepancy can only partly be explained by a potentially much higher rise in the sales of durables.

When it comes to the preferred format of retail outlets, the modern convenience stores have particularly strengthened their position and managed to attract more buyers in 2018 than in 2017, GfK concluded.

All segments of current consumer goods registered increases during 2018. The most dynamic was the dairy segment, where the sales rose by 9% (value terms, or some 5% in real terms). 

editor@romania-insider.com

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