Retail sales in Slovakia rose 6.2% year-on-year in March 2026, rebounding from a 2.5% decline in the previous month and marking the strongest growth since December 2024. The expansion was supported by positive contributions from 7 of the 9 retail segments. Growth was mainly driven by sales of automotive fuel in specialized stores, which surged 22.1% after a 1.8% decline in February, as higher petrol and diesel prices due to Middle East tensions. Sales in hypermarkets and supermarkets also rose 7.3%, reversing from a 1.0% drop in the previous month. Additional support came from higher sales of other goods in specialized stores (5.8% vs -0.5% in February), cultural and recreation goods in specialized stores (9.0% vs 1.8%), and other household equipment in specialized stores (6.7% vs 0.3%). In contrast, the overall annual retail performance was weighed down by weaker e-commerce and mail-order sales. On a monthly basis, retail activity rose 2.6% in March after a 0.1% increase in February.