VOL. 34. NUMBER 15 | JULY 31 – SEPTEMBER 3, 2026
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SPECIAL REPORT INSIDE THIS ISSUE
FMCG
Grocery Market Growing, but Weekly Shop Being Rewritten Food retail turnover is rising, but modest real-volume growth and the expansion of digital purchasing suggest that Hungary’s FMCG market is being reshaped by a more fragmented mix of store, web-shop and rapid-delivery missions. 9
Retail Tech, Digitalization Democratizing FMCG Cutting-edge technology is becoming increasingly accessible in retail. Reaping its benefits is incredibly relevant for a notoriously pricesensitive Hungarian FMCG segment characterized by cut-throat competition. 10
The 3rd-country Conundrum
SOCIALITE
How Hope Became Hip in Hungary Minister of Health Zsolt Hegedűs’ election victory dance has won him a New York Times accolade. David Holzer wonders what it would take to channel the spirit of optimism in Hungary into the sort of international awareness the United Kingdom cultivated with “Cool Britannia.” 20
NEWS
MNB Cuts Rate to 5.75%, but Conflict Clouds Further Easing The National Bank of Hungary delivered another 25-basis-point rate cut this month, bringing the benchmark rate to 5.75%, but renewed conflict in Iran and rising energy prices are making the outlook for further easing increasingly uncertain. 3
BUSINESS
Barbara Ürögdi, managing director at Helpers Hungary, which specializes in assisting foreigners seeking to work or settle in the country, wants consultations with the government on its third-country workers policy. 7 BUSINESS
Navigating the Auto Market: What Expats Need to Know Christopher Csizmár founded CarSherpa, a prepurchase vehicle inspection support service, in December 2025. He tells us about the issues buyers run into, the patterns he sees from sellers, and his key recommendations for prospective buyers. 6