FX.co ★ Russia Retail Sales Rise More than Expected

Retail sales in Russia increased by 3.9% year-on-year in September 2026, accelerating from a 3.3% rise in August and exceeding market expectations of 3.5% growth. Food sales picked up notably, expanding by 3.7% in September after a 2.3% increase in August. Non-food sales climbed by 4.1%, matching the growth rate recorded in the previous month. On a monthly basis, however, retail turnover fell by 4% — the sharpest decline since January — following a 0.3% gain in August. Overall, retail sales in the third quarter of 2026 were up 4.2% compared with the same period a year earlier.