ZAGREB, 5 March (Hina) – In Croatia, retail consumption increased for the 22nd consecutive month in January on a year-on-year basis, although at a slower pace than the previous month, and this slowdown is, among other factors, a result of a boycott of stores on Fridays.

n January 2025, the total seasonally and working-day adjusted retail trade turnover of all business entities engaged in this activity was 1.4% lower in real terms than in December 2024, the national statistical office (DZS) reported. 

Of that, the retail trade turnover of food products decreased by 1.7%, whereas the retail trade turnover of non-food products (except for automotive fuels and lubricants) decreased by 1.1%.

In January 2025, compared to the same month in 2024, the working-day adjusted retail trade turnover increased by 4.4% in real terms. Of that, the retail trade turnover of food, beverages and tobacco increased by 1.1% and the retail trade turnover of non-food products (except for automotive fuels and lubricants) by 8.7%.

The deceleration in retail trade growth is, among other things, a result of the boycott of stores due to high prices, which has been launched  in Croatia by the platform ‘Halo, Inspektore’ (Hello, Inspector).

The store boycott has been taking place every Friday since 24 January. On that day, according to data from the Tax Administration, the total amount of receipts issued in retail trade was about 50% lower compared to the previous Friday, when there was no boycott.

On Friday, 31 January, the total amount of receipts issued was about 40% lower compared to the Friday when the boycott did not take place.

Steady economic growth

As consumption is the largest component of Gross Domestic Product (GDP), the growth in retail sales in January indicates the continuation of stable economic growth in the first quarter of this year.

The DZS recently announced that in the fourth quarter of last year, GDP grew for the 16th consecutive quarter, by 3.7% year-on-year.