Bulgaria continued to rank among the European Union’s strongest retail performers in July, with retail sales volume increasing 5.6% compared with the same month in 2025, according to Eurostat data.

The increase was considerably higher than the EU-wide growth of 1.0% and the euro area’s 0.6% rise. Only a few EU countries recorded stronger annual growth, led by Cyprus at 8.6%, Latvia at 7.1%, Sweden at 6.4% and Lithuania at 5.9%.

On a monthly basis, however, Bulgaria’s retail trade declined slightly by 0.2% in July compared with June. This followed two consecutive months of growth, with sales rising 0.7% in May and 0.4% in June.

Despite the decline, Bulgaria’s monthly performance was stronger than the overall EU and euro area results. Retail trade fell 0.4% across the EU and 0.6% in the euro area between June and July.

Several major European economies recorded sharper monthly contractions. Germany’s retail trade dropped 3.4%, while Spain registered a 0.9% decline and Italy and Poland each fell by 0.3%.

Bulgaria’s annual growth also reflects a broader trend of strong retail activity throughout 2026. Retail sales increased 7.3% year over year in February, followed by growth of 12.4% in March, 7.4% in April, 7.9% in May and 7.1% in June. Although growth slowed to 5.6% in July, it remained firmly positive.

Bulgaria also outperformed several major European markets on an annual basis. Germany recorded a 2.5% decline in July, while retail trade fell 1.0% in Italy and 0.7% in Spain. Romania recorded the sharpest annual decline among the countries highlighted, at 5.7%.

Across the EU, sales of food, beverages and tobacco products recorded the strongest annual growth in July, rising 1.3%. Non-food goods increased by 0.9%, while retail sales of automotive fuels declined by 2.0%.

The retail trade volume index measures changes in the actual quantity of goods sold while accounting for price changes. Eurostat’s figures are also adjusted for calendar and seasonal effects.

Overall, the data point to continued strong consumer activity in Bulgaria. While retail sales edged down between June and July, the 5.6% annual increase remained more than five times the EU average and kept Bulgaria among the bloc’s top retail performers.