Retail sales in Czech Republic rose by 5.3% year-on-year in May 2025, exceeding market expectations of a 5.2% rise, though easing from a downwardly revised 5.7% gain in the previous month. Sales activity rose at a softer pace for food, beverages and tobacco (0.2% vs 4.4% in April). Meanwhile, higher sales were seen for automotive fuel (14.5% vs 11.4%) and non-food products (7.1% vs 5.3%). On a seasonally adjusted monthly basis, retail trade fell 0.2%, marking the sharpest drop since January 2025, and reversing a 1.2% advance in the preceding period.