Czech Retail Sales Continue Growth in March, Led by E-commerce and Food

Retail sales in the Czech Republic maintained steady growth in March 2026, supported primarily by strong online trade and food sales, according to the latest data from the Czech Statistical Office.

In real terms, retail sales increased by 4.9 percent year-on-year, while rising 1.2 percent compared to the previous month. Excluding motor vehicles, sales also recorded a 1.2 percent month-on-month increase, reflecting broad-based consumer activity across key segments.

E-commerce and Food Drive Growth

The strongest contribution to annual growth came from online retail and non-specialised food stores. Sales via mail order and internet channels rose by 13.4 percent year-on-year, continuing to outperform traditional retail formats.

Food-related sales also showed solid performance, increasing by 4.8 percent annually and 1.8 percent month-on-month. Non-food goods recorded a 5.5 percent annual rise, while automotive fuel sales grew by 2.6 percent.

“Retail sales adjusted for price effects continued to grow year-on-year in March,” said Jana Gotvaldová, Head of the Trade, Transport and Services Statistics Unit at the CZSO. “Higher sales were recorded across most store categories, with the exception of clothing, footwear and leather goods.”

Mixed Performance Across Segments

Within specialised retail, the strongest gains were recorded in cosmetics and personal care products, which rose by 7.5 percent year-on-year. Pharmaceutical and medical goods increased by 6.8 percent, while cultural and recreational goods posted a more modest 1.4 percent rise.

Sales of household equipment and electronics showed limited growth, rising by 1.0 percent and 0.3 percent respectively. In contrast, clothing, footwear and leather goods saw a slight decline of 0.5 percent compared to the same period last year.

Non-specialised stores, particularly those focused on food, beverages and tobacco, reported a 5.2 percent increase in sales, while other non-specialised retail categories rose by 6.6 percent.

Motor Vehicle Sales Stable

Sales in the automotive segment remained broadly stable on a monthly basis, with no significant change compared to February. On an annual basis, sales in the sector increased by 2.0 percent, driven primarily by a 2.2 percent rise in vehicle sales, while repair and maintenance services grew by 1.2 percent.

Outlook

The March data points to continued resilience in Czech retail, with consumer demand supported by online channels and essential goods. However, weaker performance in discretionary segments such as apparel suggests that spending patterns remain selective amid broader economic conditions.