2025.08.2909:15:08UTC+00Croatia Retail Sales Growth Slows Sharply

In July 2025, Croatia witnessed a year-on-year increase in retail sales of 1.4%, a significant slowdown from the 7.5% surge experienced in the preceding month. This represents the most modest growth rate since a decline observed in March 2023. The deceleration was particularly evident in several categories: non-food products grew by 7.6% compared to 11.5% in June, sales of automotive fuels and lubricants rose by 3%, down from 3.4%, and internet or mail-order trade increased by 4.1%, compared to the previous 5.5% rise. Conversely, the sales of food, beverages, and tobacco experienced a decline of 1.9%, following a 3.6% increase in June. On a month-to-month basis, retail sales contracted by 4.0%, marking the most significant decrease since April 2020 and overturning a 3.5% rise in June, with declines seen across all components. Overall, for the period from January to July, retail sales recorded a 3.8% increase compared to the same timeframe in the prior year.