North Macedonia’s retail sales increased by a real 2.1% year-on-year in April, slowing from an 8.1% rise recorded in March (chart), according to data released by the state statistical office on May 27. In nominal terms, retail trade turnover grew by 6.6% compared with April 2025.

The strongest performance was recorded in retail trade of food, beverages and tobacco, where turnover rose by 17.3% in nominal terms and by 11.3% in real terms, indicating strong consumer demand in essential goods categories.

Retail trade in non-food products excluding fuel increased by 1.1% in nominal terms, while real growth reached 5.2%, suggesting higher sales volumes despite relatively modest price increases.

Overall retail trade excluding automotive fuel advanced by 8.6% year-on-year in nominal terms and by 9.3% in real terms.

In contrast, retail trade in automotive fuels declined. Fuel sales fell by 1.8% in nominal terms and dropped sharply by 19.4% in real terms compared with the same month last year.

The latest data points to continued resilience in household consumption, although the pace of overall retail growth moderated significantly from the previous month.