Retail sales in Romania fell 3.2% year-on-year in March 2026, easing from a downwardly revised 5.9% decline in the previous month, marking the eighth consecutive month of contraction. Sales of automotive fuel in specialised stores returned to growth (4.1% vs -3.7% in February). At the same time, the decline in non-food products softened (-7.4% vs -9.4%). In contrast, sales of food, beverages, and tobacco fell further (-3.0% vs -1.1%). On a monthly basis, retail activity jumped 2.6% in March, following an upwardly revised 0.5% increase in the preceding period.