Saturday, 8 August 2026
Slovakia’s retail sector continued its recovery in June 2026 as consumer spending increased for the second consecutive month, although performance remained uneven across different retail segments. Growth was driven by specialist retailers, while online sales and large supermarket chains continued to lose momentum.
According to the Statistical Office of the Slovak Republic, retail sales increased in real terms compared with the same month last year, with the pace of growth strengthening from previous months. More than half of the country’s retail segments recorded higher turnover, reflecting gradually improving consumer demand despite ongoing differences in shopping patterns.
Specialist retailers made the strongest contribution to the overall performance. Stores selling health and personal care products, clothing, footwear, household fuels and other specialised goods reported higher sales, while retailers focused on information technology, home improvement products, furniture, consumer electronics, sporting goods, books and toys also experienced positive growth.
By contrast, online retailers continued to face declining sales volumes, extending a trend that has persisted for several months. Large supermarkets and hypermarkets also recorded a modest decline in turnover, indicating that consumers are increasingly directing spending towards specialised stores rather than broad-format retail chains.
Compared with May, retail activity improved modestly after seasonal adjustment, suggesting that household consumption remained stable entering the summer period. During the first six months of 2026, overall retail sales posted only moderate growth, highlighting that consumer spending continues to recover gradually rather than rapidly.
Elsewhere in the domestic trade sector, accommodation providers delivered the strongest performance, benefiting from increased travel demand and a significant rise in turnover compared with a year earlier. Wholesale trade also expanded strongly, reflecting continued activity across business supply chains.
In contrast, businesses involved in vehicle sales and servicing continued to experience weaker market conditions, while restaurants and food service operators also reported lower turnover compared with June 2025.
The latest figures suggest that Slovak consumers remain willing to spend but are becoming increasingly selective in where they make purchases. While specialist retailers and tourism-related businesses are benefiting from changing spending patterns, online retailers, large food stores and parts of the hospitality sector continue to face a more challenging trading environment.
