Serbia - Rejareja Sale (Mwaka)

Serbia’s retail sales rose 6.7 percent year-on-year in April 2019, slowing from a 9.5 percent gain in the previous month. Sales advanced less for non-food products (8.3 percent compared to 13.1 percent in March) and automotive fuel (1 percent compared to 15.2 percent). On the other hand, sales of food, beverages and tobacco went up at a softer pace (8.1 percent compared to 4.3 percent). On a monthly basis, retail sales increased 2.5 percent, easing from a 16 percent rise in the prior month. Considering the first four months of the year, retail trade advanced 8.9 percent over the same period of 2018.

Serbia’s retail sales increased 9.5 percent year-on-year in March 2019, easing from a 10.8 percent gain in the previous month. Sales rose less for food, beverages and tobacco (4.3 percent compared to 7.2 percent in February); and non-food products (13.1 percent compared to 13.8 percent). Meanwhile, sales of automotive fuel went up further (15.2 percent compared to 14.2 percent). On a monthly basis, retail sales increased 16 percent. Considering the first quarter of 2019, retail trade advanced 8.6 percent over the same period of 2018.

Serbia's retail trade growth accelerated to 10.8 percent year-on-year in February 2019, the highest since March 2016, from 5.3 percent in the previous month, driven by sales of: automotive fuel (14.2 percent); non-food products (13.8 percent); and food, beverages and tobacco (7.2 percent).