Retail sales in Poland increase by 4.4% year-on-year in May 2025

According to data released by Statistics Poland, retail sales at constant prices rose by 4.4% in May 2025 compared to the same month in 2024. However, on a monthly basis, retail sales declined by 3.2% compared to April 2025. Seasonally adjusted data showed a year-on-year increase of 2.9%, and a month-on-month decrease of 2.0%.

Over the January–May 2025 period, retail sales were up by 3.5% year-on-year, which marks a slowdown from the 5.5% growth recorded during the same period in 2024.

Several categories contributed significantly to the annual increase in May. Sales of furniture, radio, TV and household appliances grew by 18.9%, while motor vehicles, motorcycles, and parts rose by 15.7%. Pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, and orthopaedic equipment posted a 6.0% increase. Fuel sales grew by 4.9%, and food, beverages, and tobacco products edged up by 1.5%. On the other hand, the “other” category recorded a 10.8% decline.

Online retail sales also grew, with the value at current prices rising by 6.2% compared to May 2024. The share of e-commerce in total retail sales increased slightly from 8.6% to 8.8%. Notable increases were seen in online sales of textiles, clothing, and footwear (up from 22.5% to 23.7%), and furniture, radio, TV, and household appliances (up from 16.4% to 17.3%). However, online sales of newspapers, books, and other specialized store goods fell in share from 22.3% to 19.2%.

The strongest growth since the beginning of the year was recorded in the “furniture, radio, TV and household appliances” category. In terms of sales at current prices, food, beverages, and tobacco products had the highest share of total retail sales at 26.1%, followed by fuels at 13.0%, and motor vehicles and parts at 8.4%.

The report also highlighted the availability of supplementary data through Statistics Poland’s databases, providing detailed breakdowns by type of activity in line with European statistical standards.

Source: Statistics Poland