Romania’s retail turnover, except trade of motor vehicles and motorcycles, , increased by 7.6% in the first eight months of 2014 in gross series, compared to the same period in 2013, according to recent data from the country’s Statistics Institute INS.

The increase was mainly caused by non-food products which went up by 11%, as well as by food, beverages and tobacco which recorded a 8.4% increase in sales volume. Car fuel trade in specialized shops also registered an increase of 0.6%.

In August 2014, the retail turnover, except trade of motor vehicles and motorcycles, in gross series, increased by 0.1% month-on-month, mainly due to growth in sales of food, beverages and tobacco (up 3.6%). A 1.6% decrease was  registered for non-food products and for car fuel trade in specialized outlets, according to INS.

When compared to August 2013, the retail turnover registered an increase of 3.7% in August this year. Food, beverages and tobacco posted an increase of 9.1% year-on-year, while non-food products registered a growth of 5.1%.

Irina Popescu, irina.popescu@romania-insider.com