Retail sales rose 6.7%/ Non-food items and fuels led the growth at the beginning of the year
Retail trade in Albania has started 2026 with strong growth rates, reflecting the expansion of consumption, especially as a result of increased demand from tourism. According to INSTAT data, the sales volume index reached 115.6 points in the first quarter of the year, with an increase of 6.7% compared to the same period in 2025.
Growth was supported by almost all major market segments. Retail trade, excluding hydrocarbons, expanded by 6.5%, while hydrocarbon sales recorded an even higher growth, by 7.5% on an annual basis.
The largest contribution to the overall growth was made by non-food items, with 2.5 percentage points, followed by hydrocarbon trade with 2.3 percentage points and the food, beverages and tobacco group with 1.9 percentage points. This indicates that the expansion of consumption has been spread across several important market categories.
Even compared to the last quarter of 2025, retail trade has continued to grow. According to seasonally adjusted data, sales volume expanded by 1.4%, while non-hydrocarbon trade increased by 1.1% and hydrocarbon trade by 1.7%.
Historical data shows that retail trade has maintained positive rates throughout 2025, while the first quarter of this year marks the highest annual growth recorded during this period. The sector's performance is considered an important indicator of domestic consumption and economic activity in the country, reflecting stable consumer demand.
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