Which is the main engine of the retail sector in Romania?

In 2017, turnover in Romanian stores increased by 10.7% compared to 2016, with sales of food, beverages, cigarettes and fuels contributing most to the increase in retail sales in Romania.

In December of 2017, there was an increase in the turnover in comparison to December 2016 with the following quantities: non-food products (+15.5%), fuels (+14.5%), food, beverages and tobacco (+10.3%).

Retail sales in the last three years (2015, 2016 and 2017) were indirectly supported by the government through increases of the wages in the public sector, pensions and the minimum wage.