Retail sales in the Czech Republic increased by 4.3% year-on-year in August 2026, slightly above market expectations of a 4.2% rise but down from the 5.1% expansion recorded in July. The moderation was mainly due to weaker automotive fuel sales, which fell by 3.2% after a 5.8% increase in the previous month.
Despite this drag, overall turnover growth remained broadly based and was led by non-food goods, where sales advanced 7.4% (up from 6.5%). Food sales grew by 3.0%. Within the non-food segment, clothing and footwear posted a 10.0% increase (up from 8.4%), making it the largest contributor to overall retail growth. Online and mail-order sales surged 15.0% (vs 12.4%), the fastest pace among all retail categories. Revenues in non-specialized stores with a predominance of food also rose, by 3.1% (vs 2.9%).
On a seasonally adjusted month-on-month basis, retail sales excluding motor vehicles edged up 0.2% in August, slowing from a slightly upwardly revised 0.7% gain in July.