Türkiye's retail sales growth eases in September

By Tuba Sahin

ANKARA (AA) – Türkiye's retail sales growth slowed down in September, rising 1.8% month-on-month, according to official data released on Friday.

The figure followed an increase of 3.6% in August after stagnating on a monthly basis in July and contracting in June by 0.5%.

Food, drinks and tobacco sales rose 0.9% from a month ago in September, while non-food sales – excluding automotive fuel – were up 2.3%, according to the Turkish Statistical Institute (TurkStat).

Automotive fuel sales climbed 1.6% from August.

Among non-food items, computer, books, and telecommunication equipment posted the largest hike of 7.2%,​​​​​​ while medical goods and cosmetic dropped 1.4% from the previous month.

On an annual basis, Türkiye's retail sales soared 9.7% in September, after growing 9.3% in August.

Non-food sales – except automotive fuel – jumped 13.6% year-on-year in September.

Sales of food, drinks and tobacco were up 11% in September compared to the previous month, while automotive fuel sales increased 3.1%.