Retail sales in the Czech Republic rose by 4.1% year-on-year in February 2026, well above market expectations of a 3.8% gain but easing from a downwardly revised 4.9% growth in the previous month. Activity slowed in the sales of automotive fuel (3.4% vs 5.8% in January), sales not in stores, stalls, and markets (19.3% vs 16.1%), and sales via mail and internet (17.6% vs 20.8%). In the non-food sector, turnover also decreased (6.6% vs 8.2%), particularly for culture, sports, and recreation (5.4% vs 9.4%), information and communication equipment (1.5% vs 2.2%), and cosmetics and toiletries (7.9% vs 8.4%). Meanwhile, sales grew for non-specialised stores (1.5% vs 0.9%) and food, beverages, and tobacco (1.2% vs 0.2%). On a seasonally adjusted monthly basis, retail activity recorded a flat reading, following a 0.9% increase in the preceding period.