Romania’s retail trade turnover went up by 19% in the first quarter of the year compared to the same period in 2015, according to the National Statistics Institute (INS).

The sales of food, alcohol, and tobacco products went up by 28% year-on-year whereas the sales of non-food items rose by 16%. The fuel sales increased by 9.3%.

In March this year, the retail trade turnover went up by 19.3% year-on-year. The sales of food, drinks and tobacco increased by 25.5% in March compared to the same month in 2015.

The lower VAT rate and higher salaries have supported the retail sales growth.

editor@romania-insider.com