Türkiye's retail sales rise for 3rd consecutive month in May

By Tuba Ongun

ANKARA (AA) - Türkiye’s retail sales rose for the third consecutive month in May, following a decline in the aftermath of the February twin quakes in the country, according to official data released on Thursday.

Retail sales volume grew 2.1% month-on-month in May, accelerating from a 1% hike in April, the Turkish Statistical Institute (TurkStat) data showed.

Food, drinks, and tobacco sales ticked up 2.5%.

Non-food sales – except automotive fuel – climbed 2% from a month ago, while automotive fuel sales increased 2.2%.

Among non-food items, computers, books, and telecommunications equipment saw the largest increase of 4.7%, while sales via mail order and internet dropped 3.9% from the previous month.

On an annual basis, retail sales surged 28.4% in May, after April's 27.6% year-on-year growth.

Non-food sales – except automotive fuel – soared 36.9% from a year earlier in May.

Sales of food, drinks, and tobacco went up 22.6% compared to last year, while automotive fuel sales increased 10.9%, TurkStat data showed.