Retail sales in Slovakia fell 3.7% year-on-year in January 2026, easing from a 5% drop in the previous month and marking the third consecutive month of decline. The contraction slowed for food, beverages and tobacco (-4.2% vs -19.9% in December), trade outside stores, stalls or markets (-10.9% vs -14.8%), and other household equipment in specialized stores (-8.9% vs -9.9%). At the same time, sales recovered in non-specialized stores (0.5% vs -2.5%) and cultural and recreational goods (7.9% vs -6.7%), while growth accelerated sharply in ICT equipment (27% vs 8.8%). Meanwhile, sales contracted for automotive fuel (-4.9% vs 4.2%) and products sold via stalls and markets (-21.5% vs 10.5%), both reversing earlier gains, while declines deepened for other goods in specialized stores (-4.2% vs -2%). On a monthly basis, retail trade fell 1.2% in January, after posting a flat reading in the previous month.