Retail sales in Bulgaria surged 12.4% year-on-year in March 2026, the strongest growth since July 2021, accelerating from a 7.3% increase in the previous month. The rise was driven mainly by robust gains in automotive fuel in specialised stores (18.6% vs 0.4% in February) and stronger growth in non-food products excluding fuel (16.4% vs 10.5%), particularly textiles, clothing and footwear (22.4% vs 17.1%), computers, peripheral units and software (24.4% vs 16.9%), audio and video equipment (17.1% vs 13.8%), and mail order and online sales (24.1% vs 23.7%). Sales of medical and orthopaedic goods, cosmetic and toilet articles also rebounded (9.1% vs -3.2%), while growth slowed in food, beverages and tobacco (3.6% vs 5.3%). On a monthly basis, retail sales grew 2.1% in March, following an upwardly revised 2.2% increase in February. source: National Statistical Institute, Bulgaria

Retail Sales in Bulgaria increased 12.40 percent in March of 2026 over the same month in the previous year. Retail Sales YoY in Bulgaria averaged 6.65 percent from 2001 until 2026, reaching an all time high of 25.20 percent in March of 2007 and a record low of -13.30 percent in January of 2010. This page provides - Bulgaria Retail Sales YoY - actual values, historical data, forecast, chart, statistics, economic calendar and news. Bulgaria Retail Sales YoY - data, historical chart, forecasts and calendar of releases - was last updated on May of 2026.

Retail Sales in Bulgaria increased 12.40 percent in March of 2026 over the same month in the previous year. Retail Sales YoY in Bulgaria is expected to be 3.50 percent by the end of this quarter, according to Trading Economics global macro models and analysts expectations. In the long-term, the Bulgaria Retail Sales YoY is projected to trend around 2.40 percent in 2027 and 2.20 percent in 2028, according to our econometric models.



Calendar GMT Reference Actual Previous Consensus TEForecast
2026-04-07 08:00 AM
Retail Sales YoY
Feb 7.3% 4.2% 3.9%
2026-05-08 08:00 AM
Retail Sales YoY
Mar 12.4% 7.3% 4.7%
2026-06-05 08:00 AM
Retail Sales YoY
Apr 12.4%


Related Last Previous Unit Reference
Consumer Confidence -28.60 -25.90 points Jun 2026
Consumer Spending 31365.12 27844.88 BGN Million Dec 2025
Retail Sales MoM 2.10 1.00 percent Mar 2026
Retail Sales YoY 12.40 7.30 percent Mar 2026


Bulgaria Retail Sales YoY
In Bulgaria, the year-over-year change in Retail sales compares the aggregated sales of retail goods and services during a certain month to the same month a year ago.
Actual Previous Highest Lowest Dates Unit Frequency
12.40 7.30 25.20 -13.30 2001 - 2026 percent Monthly
Constant Prices, WDA

News Stream
Bulgaria Retail Sales Growth Hits Near 5-Year High
Retail sales in Bulgaria surged 12.4% year-on-year in March 2026, the strongest growth since July 2021, accelerating from a 7.3% increase in the previous month. The rise was driven mainly by robust gains in automotive fuel in specialised stores (18.6% vs 0.4% in February) and stronger growth in non-food products excluding fuel (16.4% vs 10.5%), particularly textiles, clothing and footwear (22.4% vs 17.1%), computers, peripheral units and software (24.4% vs 16.9%), audio and video equipment (17.1% vs 13.8%), and mail order and online sales (24.1% vs 23.7%). Sales of medical and orthopaedic goods, cosmetic and toilet articles also rebounded (9.1% vs -3.2%), while growth slowed in food, beverages and tobacco (3.6% vs 5.3%). On a monthly basis, retail sales grew 2.1% in March, following an upwardly revised 2.2% increase in February.
2026-05-08
Bulgaria Retail Sales Growth Accelerates in February
Retail sales in Bulgaria climbed 7.3% year-on-year in February 2026, following an upwardly revised 4.2% rise in the previous month. Sales accelerated sharply in food, beverages, and tobacco (5.3% vs 0.1% in January) and in non-food products excluding fuel (10.5% vs 8.3%), particularly in computers, peripheral units and software, and telecommunications equipment (16.9% vs 10.5%), in non-specialized stores (4.7% vs 1.8%), and via mail order houses and the internet (23.7% vs 13.1%). At the same time, sales in automotive fuel and lubricants rebounded (0.4% vs -1.5%). Meanwhile, retail activity rose at a softer pace in textiles, clothing, footwear, and leather (17.1% vs 19.8%) and in audio and video equipment (13.8% vs 15.2%), and sales of pharmaceutical and orthopedic goods continued to decline (-3.2% vs -2.7%). On a monthly basis, retail sales grew by 1% in February, reversing a downwardly revised 0.4% fall in the preceding period.
2026-04-07
Bulgaria Retail Sales Growth Eases in January
Retail sales in Bulgaria rose 3.9% year-on-year in January 2026, easing from a revised 8.2% jump in the previous month. The slowdown was largely attributed to softer growth in sales of non-food products excluding fuel (8.3% vs 16.6% in December), driven by smaller increases in audio and video equipment (15.3% vs 29.4%), computers, peripheral units and software (10.5% vs 16.5%), and information and communication equipment (12.7% vs 22.7%). Meanwhile, sales of pharmaceutical and orthopedic goods declined (-2.7% vs -10.4%). Sales of automotive fuel also fell (-1.5% vs 15.4%), while growth moderated for sales via mail-order houses and the internet (13% vs 14.7%). At the same time, sales of food, beverages, and tobacco were flat, following a 4.6% decline in December. On a monthly basis, retail sales dropped 0.5%, after a 1.6% increase in the previous period.
2026-03-09