Lowest Spreads and Flexible Terms.
Retail sales in Poland weaker than expected. The impact of expensive fuel on consumers
August retail sales rose, but more slowly than expected
In August 2026, retail sales in constant prices, meaning adjusted for price changes, were 3,8% higher in Poland than a year earlier. That was weaker than market expectations, which had pointed to growth of 4,5%. Compared with July, when sales rose by 3,9%, this suggests a slight slowdown, but not a sharp drop.
For people exchanging money and planning spending, the key point is that consumer demand remains positive. The Polish consumer is holding up despite a more difficult environment, including the fuel crisis and slower growth in nominal wages. From January to August, retail sales in constant prices were 3,4% higher than a year earlier.
The strongest sales again came from big-ticket items, that is durable goods. Sales of furniture, consumer electronics and household appliances were 10,6% higher in August than a year earlier. Car sales rose by 11,7% y/y, and the “other” category was up 11,1% y/y. Trade at pharmacies and drugstores also looked solid, with growth of 6,2% y/y.
Fuel performed more weakly, with volume up only 1,1% y/y, although sales value at current prices increased by as much as 21,9% y/y. It is worth remembering that some drivers may have filled up earlier, before the temporary VAT rate cuts on petrol and diesel expired. Sales of food and non-alcoholic beverages also rose by just 1% y/y, while shoe and clothing stores recorded a decline of 2,7% y/y.
Online sales at current prices were 17,5% higher than a year earlier. Their share of total sales rose from 8,1% to 9,0%. The Central Statistical Office also said that in the “newspapers, books, other sales in specialized stores” category, the share of online sales rose from 18,3% to 23,2%; in “furniture, consumer electronics and household appliances” from 16,6% to 20,0%; and in “textiles, clothing, footwear” from 22,7% to 23,5%.
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