Tuesday, 7 July 2026
Retail sales in the Czech Republic, excluding motor vehicle sales and repairs, increased 4.7% year-on-year in May 2026, accelerating from a revised 0.8% increase in April, according to the Czech Statistical Office (CZSO).
On a month-on-month basis, retail sales rose 1.3%.
Growth was driven by stronger sales of non-food goods and food, while fuel sales declined.
Sales of non-food goods increased 7.4% year-on-year, while food sales rose 2.9%. Fuel sales fell 0.8% compared with May 2025.
Among individual retail categories, clothing and footwear retailers recorded the strongest performance, with sales rising 15.7% year-on-year. Non-specialised stores predominantly selling non-food goods reported growth of 7.8%, while internet and mail-order retailers increased sales by 11.6%.
Sales at non-specialised food retailers rose 3%, while specialised food stores recorded growth of 2.6%. By contrast, retailers of computer and communication equipment reported a 5.4% decline in sales.
Sales and repairs of motor vehicles increased 4.6% year-on-year and were 1% higher than in April.
Separately, the Czech Republic recorded a CZK 9.9 billion trade surplus in May, according to preliminary CZSO data.
Exports increased 5.6% year-on-year to CZK 415.6 billion, while imports rose 6% to CZK 405.7 billion. The surplus was CZK 1 billion lower than in May 2025.
The trade balance benefited from stronger exports of machinery, electrical equipment and fabricated metal products, while trade in coke and refined petroleum products had a negative impact on the overall result.
